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

Pinacoteca

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)

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