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

JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Pinacoteca

THE JOURNEY OF THE MAGI

Pinacoteca

THE JOURNEY OF THE MAGI

The Adoration of the Magi in the restored work by Andrea Schiavone The Magi in traditional nativity scenes from the collections of the Dalmine Nativity Scene Museum

05/12/2024-04/02/2025
Exhibition

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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