Ambrosiana

Andrea Appiani
Portrait of Napoleone Bonaparte
Oil on panel

NAPOLEON AT THE AMBROSIANA

The exhibition, as part of the celebrations promoted throughout Italy by the Napoleonic Bicentenary Committee 1821-2021 and in collaboration with the Univestià Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan, offers a path on representation in the Napoleonic era in Milan as a melting pot of tradition, propaganda, and of change and continuity at the same time.

The exhibition, curated by Francesca Barbieri and Alessandra Mignatti, with Annamaria Cascetta in the role of scientific director, presents engravings, drawings, reports, satirical writings, librettos, theoretical printed works and periodicals from the heritage of the Ambrosiana Library as well as assets from the collections of paintings and relics of the Pinacoteca.

The varied material allows an in-depth study of representation which, in its broadest anthropological meaning, constitutes a privileged observatory on the cultural transformations that the city of Milan experienced in the Napoleonic era. How does the new power appear, or rather ‘does it represent itself’? How is it perceived and in turn represented?

The review analyzes various fields of investigation, such as the development of festivities and other celebratory forms from the Cisalpine republic to the Kingdom of Italy, or the organization of urban space which reveals, between ephemeral and permanent layouts, a new structure resulting from a profound rethinking. The theatrical performances, moreover, with their creative ferment, place themselves in dialogue with the great events of the time and participate in the construction of the new citizen.
Finally, the representation also affects the more everyday aspects of life, from the new allegories that appear in the bureaucratic field to the fashion for clothing and hairdressing.

In the first rooms of the exhibition there is a chronological path that begins with the entry of the French troops in Milan and reaches up to 1814. Particularly noteworthy is the inspired portrait of Napoleon painted by Andrea Appiani immediately after the arrival of the then young general in town. The engravings on display are signed by important artistic personalities of the Milanese neoclassical age, such as Alessandro Sanquirico and Gaspare Galliari; there is also a drawing by Giovanni Perego.

Ideally part of the exhibition itinerary are some works related to the Napoleonic period present in the subsequent rooms of the Pinacoteca, which are indicated to the visitor with the logo of the exhibition. These also include some works prey to the Napoleonic spoliation in Ambrosiana and then partly returned.

Finally, there is an appendix to the exhibition in the Federiciana room, with some insights on the themes anticipated in the first rooms. In particular, the room houses the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus, a work that was also involved in the Napoleonic looting at the time.

In order to access the museum, it is necessary to wear the surgical mask and keep it worn for the entire visit.

<p>Andrea Appiani<br />
<em>Portrait of Napoleone Bonaparte</em><br />
Oil on panel</p>

Andrea Appiani
Portrait of Napoleone Bonaparte
Oil on panel

WHAT’S ON

JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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