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

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

Pinacoteca

Happy Easter!

Ambrosiana

Happy Easter!

16/04/2025
NEWS
MAY 3: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Ambrosiana

MAY 3: SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

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

03/05/2025-03/05/2025
JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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