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

Reading room: summer closure

Biblioteca

Reading room: summer closure

Reading room closed from July 21 to August 31 included

08/07/2025
NEWS
A NEW LAYOUT FOR THE FLEMISH MASTERS ROOM

Pinacoteca

Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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