Ambrosiana

Who we are

The Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana was founded on 7 September 1607 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo. His was the original idea, consisting in the promotion of human and Christian values ​​through science and culture in the service of the Catholic Church.
Starting from this inspiration, the Ambrosiana’s purposes are the training of the clergy, religious and laity, as well as spreading Christian culture and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, pursued in particular through the preservation, custody and enhancement of its Cultural Heritage (manuscripts, printed works, artworks, etc.).

The Adoration with Saint Roch
Gian Pietro Rizzoli
detto Giampietrino
1520-1530
tempera and oil on panel
150 × 120
(detail)

Who we are

The Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana was founded on 7 September 1607 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo. His was the original idea, consisting in the promotion of human and Christian values ​​through science and culture in the service of the Catholic Church.
Starting from this inspiration, the Ambrosiana’s purposes are the training of the clergy, religious and laity, as well as spreading Christian culture and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, pursued in particular through the preservation, custody and enhancement of its Cultural Heritage (manuscripts, printed works, artworks, etc.).

OUR MISSION

MORE THAN 400 YEARS SPENT PURSUING A TASK THAT IS STILL RELEVANT

OUR MISSION

“Promoting the love of the True and Beautiful for the good of the people, the Church and society.” The words of the Archbishop of Milan, who is the Patron of the Ambrosiana and ultimately responsible for it, express the task of this ancient institution, embodied in the cultural and social context of our own time.

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PINACOTECA

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was established in April 1618, when Cardinal Federico Borromeo donated his collection of paintings…

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BIBLIOTECA

The Ambrosian Library, founded on 1607, was one of the earliest libraries to grant access to all who could read and write…

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ACCADEMIA

The purpose of the Accademia is to raise the Ambrosiana to the level of an Agora, a place devoted to fostering the dialogue…

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THE THREE SOULS OF THE AMBROSIANA

AMBROSIANA

A treasure chest containing a Library, an Art Gallery and an Academy: three complementary bodies aimed at promoting a love for literature, the arts, science and beauty.

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NOT JUST A LIBRARY, ART GALLERY AND ACADEMY: THE AMBROSIANA IS SO MUCH MORE...

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!

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LODOVICO POGLIAGHI MUSEUM-HOME

Lodovico Pogliaghi (1857-1950) was one of the most significant Lombard artists to live in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

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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.

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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…

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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

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.

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THE COLLEGE OF FELLOWS

PRIESTS DEVOTED TO STUDY, RESEARCH AND RECEPTION

THE COLLEGE OF FELLOWS

The brilliant intuition of Federico Borromeo – offering the Milanese a place dedicated to the growth of the person in the love of truth and the experience of beauty, drew from the start on the work of valid and enthusiastic collaborators. This led to the foundation of the Collegio dei Dottori (College of Fellows). Since 1607 it has guided the development of the Ambrosiana and preserved its existence and its inspirational values, giving a face, mind and heart to a place intended for an encounter between cultures and the people who embody them.

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HOW THE AMBROSIANA WORKS

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANS

Federico Borromeo’s intuition underlies the division of tasks between the two governing bodies of the Ambrosiana: the cultural role of the College of Fellows is supported by the Congregation of Conservators, appointed to ensure the stability of its holdings and the Ambrosiana’s administrative life.

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ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANS

WHAT’S ON

Holiday season opening hours and events

Ambrosiana

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 TREATISE ON CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS BY CESARE BECCARIA<BR>FROM MILAN, TO EUROPE, TO THE WORLD

Ambrosiana

THE TREATISE ON CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS BY CESARE BECCARIA
FROM MILAN, TO EUROPE, TO THE WORLD

Pinacoteca, rooms 2 and 3, exhibition included in the admission ticket to the museum

19/09/2024-17/12/2024
Exhibition
NEW PINACOTECA AMBROSIANA AUDIOGUIDES

Ambrosiana

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
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

01/04/2023-21/12/2024

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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