Ambrosiana

Revolving Neapolitan Crèche, detail

CRÈCHES AT THE AMBROSIANA
FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE MUSEO DEL PRESEPIO OF DALMINE

From December 1st until the end of January, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana hosts a widespread exhibition of nativity scenes, coming from the Museo del Presepio of Dalmine.
On show, eleven crèches from all over the world: Neapolitan, Lombard, African, Burmese crèches made with the most diverse techniques.

Those made of paper, obtained from special “cutting sheets” mounted on rigid supports and arranged in a scene, were donated to the Dalmine Museum by a private collector and can all be dated between the end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century.

Among these, the reproduction of the crèche created by the artist Giuseppe Carsana in 1868 for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Rho and the transposition in print of some characters of the famous “crèche of Gernetto” painted by Francesco Londonio, a painter widely represented in the Ambrosian collections, stand out. The exhibition aims to be a contribution to the rediscovery of the charm and enchantment of paper nativity scenes, widespread in Europe since the first half of the eighteenth century, which are a significant part of the Catholic tradition. It is an artistic and cultural heritage which in recent years has been re-evaluated by researchers and collectors, allowing the formation of collections of great value which include the most diverse types.

The revolving Neapolitan crèche is displayed in the Medusa room: a classic scenography in cork, the typical Neapolitan rock, houses this nativity teeming with characters. Next to the sacred scene of the Adoration of the Magi we find scenes of daily life such as the wonderful tavern with the set table. On the back a shepherd sleeps: it is Benino, a typical figure of the Neapolitan nativity scene that symbolizes the one who fell asleep in the old world and awakens in the new Christian world. Some ancient Neapolitan figures are also exhibited at the beginning of the exhibition tour. It is a Holy Family, two Moors with horses, the latter recalling the figures represented in the procession of Titian’s Adoration of the Magi, and three Magi of extraordinary workmanship, with finely modeled faces made of  terracotta and glass paste. The beards, the hair and even the wrinkles: every detail gives great expressiveness to these majestic characters. The dresses are in hand-sewn silk, decorated with golden trimmings and embroidery.

The Lombard plaster crèche, made in the twentieth century with molds and models from the nineteenth century, has come down to us in excellent condition, despite the very fragile material. The iconography of the characters is rich with figures in different attitudes and all finished with particular care, dressed in tunics according to the Lombard tradition of the plaster nativity scene.
The handcrafted production of plaster crèche figures in Lombardy was active from around 1700 to 1940 when, almost suddenly, it ceased due to the advent of plastic figures, which were less expensive and, above all, less fragile. The statues were made in the workshops using wooden casts. Painting and decoration was entrusted almost exclusively to women.

Of the two African nativity scenes, one is in carved rosewood, the other is in metal with beautiful figures of seated musicians playing. Finally, the Burmese crèche is in painted and gilded wood, a unique crèche that encompasses the West, in the message, and the East in the style.

On 17 December there will also be an exclusive Christmas event which includes a concert in the Sala Federiciana followed by a guided tour of the Crèches exhibition.

<blockquote><p>Revolving Neapolitan creche</p></blockquote>

Revolving Neapolitan creche

WHAT’S ON

ROOM OF THE FLEMISH MASTERS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC (ROOM 7)

Pinacoteca

ROOM OF THE FLEMISH MASTERS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC (ROOM 7)

Room closed to the public for renovation from June 3 to 12

03/06/2025-12/06/2025
JUNE 1: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Ambrosiana

JUNE 1: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

From 18.00 to 19.30 (last admission) entrance to the Art Gallery and Crypt at the special price of €3.00

01/06/2025-01/06/2025
ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

Ambrosiana

ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

Until June 24, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan hosts Art in Respect – A dialogue, a solo exhibition by artist and couturier Filippo Sorcinelli.

15/05/2025-24/06/2025
Exhibition
Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Orrery, Sconosciuto
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
Portrait of Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine (later Leopold II), Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779)
Armillary sphere, NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
llias picta, NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
The Holy Family with Sain John, Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1553)
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
The Arco della Pace in Milan, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 12 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna of the Pavilion, Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi detto) (1444 o 1445-1510)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)