Ambrosiana

Portrait of Federico Borromeo, detail, from
Miscellanea riguardante la Biblioteca Ambrosiana e i suoi dottori e prefetti
Z351 sup, f. 413v

The historical and literary sources of the Betrothed

From October 12, 2023, the exhibition “The historical and literary sources of the Betrothed will be on display in the windows of rooms 2 and 3 of the Pinacoteca.

There is no need to remember how much the figure of Cardinal Federico Borromeo and his great Milanese institution had an impact on the construction of the Betrothed.
Precisely for this reason the Ambrosiana commemorates the 150th anniversary of Alessandro Manzoni’s death with this selected exhibition of rare volumes which, by explicit admission of the Author, provided historical material for the ‘truthful’ creation of the Novel.
For the most part, these are texts that are not easy to find – some are even the only surviving examples – which provided Manzoni with the information for the plot of his story.
Thus, also on this theme, the Ambrosiana Library manages to draw, from its inexhaustible book heritage, precious relics that can offer new sources of studies and interpretations on the figure of the most famous novelist of Italian literature.

<p><em>Portrait of Federico Borromeo</em>, from<br />
Miscellanea riguardante la Biblioteca Ambrosiana e i suoi dottori e prefetti<br />
Z351 sup, f. 413v</p>

Portrait of Federico Borromeo, from
Miscellanea riguardante la Biblioteca Ambrosiana e i suoi dottori e prefetti
Z351 sup, f. 413v

WHAT’S ON

OCTOBER 12: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Ambrosiana

OCTOBER 12: 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

07/10/2025-07/10/2025
SPECIAL REDUCED TICKETS € 3 FOR STUDENTS

Ambrosiana

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
Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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