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

OCTOBER 12: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Ambrosiana

OCTOBER 12: 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

08/10/2025-08/10/2025
SPECIAL REDUCED TICKETS € 3 FOR STUDENTS

Ambrosiana

ARE YOU IN LOVE? NO I'M IN MILANO

Ambrosiana

ARE YOU IN LOVE? NO I'M IN MILANO

19/09/2025-14/10/2025
Exhibition
Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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