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

EUROPEAN MUSEUM NIGHT 2025 - SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Pinacoteca

EUROPEAN MUSEUM NIGHT 2025 - SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

From 18.00 to 19.30 entrance to the Pinacoteca and Crypt at the special price of €3.00

17/05/2025-17/05/2025
ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

Ambrosiana

ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

From May 15 to 27, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan hosts Art in Respect – A dialogue, a solo exhibition by artist and couturier Filippo Sorcinelli.

15/05/2025-27/05/2025
Exhibition
MOTHER'S DAY

Ambrosiana

MOTHER'S DAY

To celebrate Mother's Day, on Sunday 11 May the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is offering free admission to all mothers accompanied by their children.

11/05/2025-11/05/2025
MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT

Pinacoteca

MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT

11/05/2025-11/05/2025
Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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