Ambrosiana

Leonardo da Vinci:
Studies and drawings of the French period from the Codex Atlanticus

On show until September 15, 2019, the exhibition deals with the Master’s last years of activity, through a selection of 23 drawings from the Codex Atlanticus, dating from Leonardo’s French stay, at the court of Francis I

The exhibition, curated by Pietro C. Marani, is part of the cycle of four exhibitions, programmed by the College of Fellows of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and curated by the leading experts of the Tuscan genius, under the patronage of the National Committee and the Territorial Committee for the celebrations of the 5th centenary since the death of Leonardo da Vinci.
“Leonardo in France – states Pietro C. Marani – focuses on the architectural and hydraulic drawings Leonardo made in France between 1516 and 1518, all traditionally related to the projects of the King of France Francis I for a new royal residence to be built in Romorantin. Here the old castle, inhabited by the king’s mother, Luisa di Savoia, had already been renovated and restored in previous years, but the new royal residence developed in a monumental and urbanistic sense, and Leonardo, in his drawings , seems to be oriented towards the project of two twin palaces, one for the king, the other for the queen Claude of France, surrounded by canals and pavilions. Perhaps Leonardo’s drawings were not used eventually, but the castle of Chambord, built starting from 1519, seems to convey some of Leonardo’s ideas for Romorantin”.
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue curated by Pietro C. Marani, which will also include a list of all the other French sheets of the Codex Atlanticus, mostly dedicated to studies of geometry, lunulae and curvilinear stars, with a new study on the types of papers and watermarks.

<p>CA f. 482 r: Studies of lunulae and a note in French, 1517-18; detail</p>

CA f. 482 r: Studies of lunulae and a note in French, 1517-18; detail

The celebrations for the Leonardian year at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana will end with the exhibition Leonardo and its legacy: the artists and techniques, curated by Benedetta Spadaccini, from September 17th 2019 to January 12th 2020, dedicated to the drawings made by Leonardo and the artists of his circle.
Fondazione Fiera Milano is the official partner of the Ambrosiana Library and will actively collaborate in both the cycle of initiatives dedicated to Leonardo’s celebrations and the enhancement of Raffaello Sanzio’s preparatory Cartoon for the fresco of the School of Athens in the Vatican.

WHAT’S ON

READING ROOM CLOSURE FROM SEPTEMBER 24 TO 29

Ambrosiana

READING ROOM CLOSURE FROM SEPTEMBER 24 TO 29

Reading room closed from September 24 to 29 included

24/09/2025-29/09/2025
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
SEPTEMBER 28: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Ambrosiana

SEPTEMBER 28: 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

28/09/2025-28/09/2025
Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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