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

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

Pinacoteca

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

An itinerary through the treasures of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana curated by Federico Gallo and Stefano Martinelli Tempesta - Pinacoteca, rooms 2 and 3

25/04/2024-23/07/2024
Exhibition
Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Ambrosiana

Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Recovery of the functionality of the balconies of the Sala Federiciana, Borromeo and della Rosa through the installation of lifelines

01/03/2024
NEWS
Notice for the users of the Reading Room

Biblioteca

GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Ambrosiana

GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Guided tour of the masterpieces of the Pinacoteca, together with professional guides of our official partner AdArtem

01/04/2023-30/06/2024

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

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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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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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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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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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)

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