Ambrosiana

FOR FAMILIES

60 minutes

For all Age

This tour for families with children takes just over an hour and, in addition to the essential masterpieces, includes a selection of works where nature and animals are particularly prominent.

Starting from Room 1 we will discover Titian’s Adoration of the Magi, with the splendid horse and the famous dog peeing right in the middle of the scene.
Then, look at the Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio. Can you spot the last little animal? “Little animal? But all I can see are figs, apples, peaches… Where’s the animal?” “Oh no, try harder! Look carefully: you can’t see it, but it’s there!”

SALA 1 | Adorazione dei Magi di Tiziano

In Room 2 we pause in front of the majestic altarpiece by Bergognone: what animal can you spot in the bottom left-hand corner and who is it next to?

SALA 2 | Sacra Conversazione del Bergognone

We continue to Room 3, where we are immediately struck by a huge frog lying at the feet an Angel in a painting by Bramantino. What is it doing there? Why is it sprawls on the ground?

SALA 3 | Madonna delle Torri di Bramantino

In Room 4, a wonderful painting by Bassano presents the Holy Family during the Rest on the Flight into Egypt, set in a scene of simple everyday rural life in the 16th-century. The silent companions of the figures are the donkey and the two dogs at the bottom right… But there is another small animal hiding in the picture. Can you see it?

SALA 4 | Riposo durante la fuga in Egitto, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano

After an unmissable visit to the newly restored Cartoon for the School of Athens by Raphael with its new installation, we continue in Room 7, where nature explodes in a blaze of colours, details and… different kinds of animals!
Can you tell how many types of birds and fish are painted in Brueghel’s Allegory of Water, or see the small insects hidden in the Vases of Flowers? Finally, look at the smallest picture of all. Like Cardinal Federico, you will certainly agree that the mastery of a great artist can make even mice look enchanting!

SALA 7 | I fiamminghi

If you are still not tired, go up to the second floor, where you will see, in Room 14, a singular wedding procession. In it the nymph Thetis approaches her spouse Peleus in a sea coach driven by cute cherubs and drawn by two enchanting dolphins!

SALA 14 | Trionfo di Galatea, Ambito di Francesco Albani

After passing through the open gallery, in Room 17 you will see two very charming paintings, in which the Milanese painter Francesco Londonio enjoyed himself portraying goats, lambs, calves and oxen.

SALA 17 | Caprette e agnelli di Londonio

In the passage leading to Room 18, on the landing, a splendid sculpture depicts a Tiger Nursing its Cubs will transport you to exotic and distant lands. Now look at the gilt bronzes in Room 18. Among them you will see two very special centrepieces depicting hares and crustaceans very skilfully carved.

Then, go to the ground floor to immerse yourself in the Aula Leonardi. Here you can admire his Portrait of a Musician (which for some time was even raised to the rank of a Duke!) and the stylish Lady with the Pearl Hair Net!

Finally, in the Sala Federiciana, you can admire the drawings of Leonardo’s Codex Atlanticus.

FOR FAMILIES
FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES

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

The other faces of the Ambrosiana

The most magical and ancient places of Milan: the ancient Forum where Constantine, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine and Theodosius walked, and the lower Church of Santo Sepolcro, built by the Crusaders… as well as a colossal statue of St. Charles Borromeo on Lake Maggiore; a Museum-Home at the Sacro Monte of Varese; a Foundation dedicated to the promotion of young artists: this is also the Ambrosiana!
Discover the other institutions of the Ambrosiana

MARCO MANTOVANI FOUNDATION

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

MARCO MANTOVANI FOUNDATION

The Marco Mantovani Foundation seeks to preserve and enhance the works of the sculptor Marco Mantovani, as evidence of the life of an artist dedicated to sculpture and art.

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LODOVICO POGLIAGHI MUSEUM-HOME

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

LODOVICO POGLIAGHI MUSEUM-HOME

Lodovico Pogliaghi was one of the most significant Lombard artists to live in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

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CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO

The church of San Sepolcro was founded in 1030, when a Milanese moneyer named Rozzone built a church on the ancient Roman forum. Archbishop Ariberto d’Intimiano solemnly consecrated it to the Holy Trinity.

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THE COLOSSUS OF SAINT CHARLES IN ARONA

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

THE COLOSSUS OF SAINT CHARLES IN ARONA

The Colossus of Saint Charles in Arona, which popular tradition has affectionately dubbed San Carlone, was created in the seventeenth century at the behest of Federico Borromeo, archbishop of Milan and founder of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.

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ROMAN FORUM

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

ROMAN FORUM

Between 1990 and 1992, archaeological excavations conducted underneath the ancient cellars of the Ambrosiana brought to light a portion of the pavement of the ancient Roman forum, the heart of Mediolanum's political, economic and religious life.

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ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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