Ambrosiana

Meshal ha-Qadmoni, “Ancient fables”

Presentation of the facsimile edition

In memory of Luisella Mortara Ottolenghi and Raffaella Mortara

curated by Anna Linda Callow and Pier Francesco Fumagalli
Italian translation by Erica Baricci
Ed. G.A.M. Rudiano (Brescia) – Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milano 2021

The Meshal ha-Qadmoni Ambrosian manuscript X 112 Sup. was written by Shemu’el Sofer (‘scribe’) named Zilmein, the son of Barukh in Brescia (Lombardy, northern Italy) in 1483 for his private student Barukh, son of Shemu’el of Mortara. Though produced in Italy, the codex is inscribed in an Ashkenazic current semi–cursive script by an immigrant professional scribe from Germany. The painted pages result from “a unique process in which the scribe was also the illustrator who added the illustrations while copying, page by page, at the same time adjusting the layout copying to his illustration.” (Malachi Beit-Arié). “It may be said, in summary, that the book, with its stories, its social criticism, its human wisdom and its scientific and pseudo-scientific treatises, constitutes a universal and timeless document that appealed to generations of Ashkenazi Jews – even in northern Italy” (Simona Gronemann).

PROGRAM

22 novembre 2021, Sala delle Accademie E.R. Galbiati

h 15.00 Saluto del Prefetto dell’Ambrosiana, monsignor Marco Ballarini

Guido Ottolenghi, La cultura onora il ricordo

Anna Linda Callow, Novelle ebraiche per studio e per diletto

Erica Baricci, Favole antiche per giovani d’oggi

h 16.15 Conclusioni di monsignor Pier Francesco Fumagalli

WHAT’S ON

PINACOTECA AND CRYPT: AUGUST OPENING HOURS

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28/07/2025
NEWS
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)

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