Ambrosiana

JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

From December 19, 2024 to June 17, 2025 visitors can admire the exhibition “Jubilee 2025 – XVII Centenary of the Council of Nicaea” curated by Mons. Marco Navoni and Mons. Francesco Braschi in rooms 2 and 3 of the Pinacoteca.
The exhibition is divided into two closely connected sections in which works from the Ambrosiana Library and not normally visible to the public are displayed.

Jubilee
Towards the end of 1299, the impression began to circulate among the Christian people of Europe that the transition to the new centenary year would be the occasion for a spiritual renewal, almost the beginning of a new era of peace and brotherhood. The rumor then spread – which in all likelihood arose spontaneously among the faithful – that the pilgrims who went to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome would receive a “full remission of sins”.
The massive arrival of pilgrims to Rome induced Boniface VIII, of the noble Caetani family, to grant plenary indulgence for the entire year 1300 and this concession would be repeated every hundred years in the future. Thus was born the first Holy Year or Jubilee Year: initially a centenary deadline was foreseen; then Clement VI set its deadline every fifty years (and so the second Holy Year was held in 1350). After the Holy Year of 1400, Pope Martin V established that another one should be celebrated in 1425, and introduced the rite of opening the Holy Door in the basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, cathedral of Rome. This temporal reduction to every 25 years was definitively and formally established by Pope Paul II in 1470 to offer most of the faithful the highest probability of participating in the celebrations of at least one Holy Year in their lives. Finally, Pope Alexander VI, in the Jubilee of 1500, extended the rite of the opening of the Holy Door also to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paolo Fuori le Mura, and reserved the opening of the door to himself and for the future only to the Pope in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Among the works exhibited in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and coming from the Library is the large watercolor panel “Boniface VIII announces the first Holy Year in 1300”, a work by Giacomo Grimaldi, dated around 1590 which reconstructs Giotto’s fresco, unfortunately lost, which portrays the Pope Boniface VIII who blesses the crowd from the loggia of San Giovanni in Laterano, the cathedral of Rome, and announces the first Holy Year.

XVII Centenary of the Council of Nicaea
The Holy Year, every twenty-five years, solemnly commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, the Son of God who became man for the salvation of humanity.
In the first centuries of the Christian era, the identity of Jesus of Nazareth was one of the most debated theological questions: it was asked whether He, as the Son of God, was God like the Father, or whether he was inferior to the Father, and therefore a creature like the others, although the most excellent. He was a priest of the Church of Alexandria at the beginning of the 4th century, named Arius, who systematically denied the divinity of Christ with the intent of safeguarding the idea of ​​the uniqueness of God: this doctrine, from the name of its author, took the name of Arianism.
To solve the issue and quell the controversies that were dividing Christianity, the Emperor Constantine the Great, exactly 1700 years ago, in 325 convened the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, Asia Minor (now Turkey) according to tradition, 318 bishops took part. The Council condemned Arius’ doctrine as heretical, declaring that for the Christian faith Jesus Christ is the Son of God, equal to the Father in divinity. Furthermore, the Fathers of Nicaea fixed the date of the Easter feast, the main Christian holiday, by fixing it on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox, putting an end to the calendar differences between the Christian Churches.

Among the works in this section is the precious “Missale Ambrosianum”, a manuscript from the end of the fourteenth century in parchment. The most important fruit of the Council was the formulation of the Symbol, that is, a text that synthetically expressed the right faith professed by the Church in the Trinity: in particular the Nicene Creed recognizes in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, true God from true God, Light from Light, “consubstantial” with the Father (exactly what the heresy denied).

<p>“Boniface VIII announces the first Holy Year in 1300”, Giacomo Grimaldi, c.1590</p>

“Boniface VIII announces the first Holy Year in 1300”, Giacomo Grimaldi, c.1590

WHAT’S ON

JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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