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

A NEW LAYOUT FOR THE FLEMISH MASTERS ROOM

Pinacoteca

ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

Ambrosiana

ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

Until June 24, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan hosts Art in Respect – A dialogue, a solo exhibition by artist and couturier Filippo Sorcinelli.

15/05/2025-24/06/2025
Exhibition
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)

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