Ambrosiana

LEONARDO DA VINCI AND GUIDO DA VIGEVANO
ANATOMY IN FIGURES

The exhibition compares the method of graphical representation of two geniuses of the past, through the reproduction of the masterpiece by Guido da Vigevano Anathomia designata per figuras (1345) and Leonardo da Vinci’s revolutionary anatomical visualization by means of a selection from his numerous anatomical drawings.

Five sculptures were drawn with the traditional wax technique from Leonardo’s anatomical drawings. The exhibition is completed by the wooden model of Guido’s wind-propelled cart, designed as a war machine but which can also be considered the first auto-mobile in history.

The exhibition, curated by Paola Salvi, made possible by the city of Vigevano (owner of the exhibition itself), with the patronage of the Lombardy Region, the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera in Milan, the University of Pavia, supported by the National Committee for the celebrations 500 years since Leonardo da Vinci’s death and organized with the OverArt Association, closes the program of exhibitions proposed by the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana to enhance its heritage of Leonardo’s works, among the most important in the world.
It presents the reproduction of the 18 figures (in 16 plates) of the Anothomia treatise designated for figuras (1345) by Guido da Vigevano, alongside a series of reproductions of anatomical drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, made between 1480 and 1517 approximately. From some of these drawings, which belong to Leonardo’s vast anatomical repertoire, preserved in the collections of Queen Elizabeth II of England in Windsor Castle, five sculptures have been obtained, conceived by Paola Salvi and made by Moreno Vezzoli, with the traditional technique of waxwork.

“We wanted to focus on artistic beauty – says Paola Salvi – since Leonardo practiced the dissection to know the inside of the human body, presumably with the assistance of a “surgeon”, as was customary at the time, but with the intent to overcome it by bringing the knowledge acquired back to the life of the body in action”.
“His drawings – continues Paola Salvi – follow the anatomical fidelity of the living body, exceed in graphic refinement every “macabre” aspect and testify not only to the reality of the anatomical representation, but also the theories of his time, the same theories that Leonardo visualizes where experience does not allow him to verify and possibly refuse them”.
The exhibition itinerary is enhanced, thanks to the collaboration with Carlo E. Rottenbacher, professor of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Information Researcher at the Department of Structural Mechanics of the University of Pavia, with the reconstruction in scale of Guido da Vigevano’s “wind-propelled cart”, a wooden model deriving from the drawing reatured in the Texaurus Regis Francie (1335), a manuscript which presents remarkable mechanical and visualization solutions for its time.

<p>On the: Guido da Vigevano, Drawinng of the wind-propelled cart from <em>Texaurus regis Francie acquisitionis terre sancte de ultramare, nec non sanitas corporis eius et vita ipsius prolungationis ac etiam cum custodia propter venenum</em>, c. 1375, Yale nel Center for British Arts; on the right: the model of the wind-propelled cart by Guido da Vigevano designed by Carlo Rottenbacher.</p>

On the: Guido da Vigevano, Drawinng of the wind-propelled cart from Texaurus regis Francie acquisitionis terre sancte de ultramare, nec non sanitas corporis eius et vita ipsius prolungationis ac etiam cum custodia propter venenum, c. 1375, Yale nel Center for British Arts; on the right: the model of the wind-propelled cart by Guido da Vigevano designed by Carlo Rottenbacher.

The analogy between Guido and Leonardo da Vinci, often proposed on the grounds of similar “genius”, has a deeper and greater substantial motivation than being merely the admiration for men capable of mastering dissimilar branches of knowledge and practices, for example anatomy and engineering, disciplines which our own culture, essentially and necessarily specialist, considers as being widely different.
The exhibition continues ideally in the Sala Federiciana of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana where the exhibition Leonardo da Vinci and his legacy is on show until March 1: the artists and techniques, curated by Benedetta Spadaccini, which presents some original Leonardo drawings of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, including anatomical studies of legs and the famous presentation letter to Ludovico il Moro, that are linked to the anatomy and the design of war machines.

<p>Ceroplastica, busto con braccio alzato; ideazione Paola Salvi, realizzazione Moreno Vezzoli</p>

Ceroplastica, busto con braccio alzato; ideazione Paola Salvi, realizzazione Moreno Vezzoli

WHAT’S ON

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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