Ambrosiana

Naturalis Historia
Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
manoscritto del XIV secolo
codice membranaceo
39 × 27 cm
inv E 24 inf folio 202 recto
(detail)

Biblioteca

The Ambrosian Library, founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo on September 7, 1607 and inaugurated on
8 December 1609, was one of the earliest libraries to grant access to all who could read and write.

It was conceived by its founder as a centre for study and culture. Through his intervention other institutions came to flourish alongside it, such as the Board of Fellows (Collegio dei Dottori, 1607), the Art Gallery (Pinacoteca, 1618) and the Academy of Drawing for teaching painting, sculpture and architecture (Accademia del Disegno, 1620).

The Library is one of the most important in the world. Its collections numbers more than a million printed volumes (including thousands of incunabula and books dating from the 16th century); nearly 40,000 manuscripts (including the celebrated Codex Atlanticus and some of the most important existing manuscripts) in Italian, Latin, Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Ethiopic (and much else); 12,000 drawings (among them works by Raphael, Pisanello, Leonardo and other renowned masters); 22,000 engravings; and other unique rarities (old maps, musical manuscripts, parchments and papyri).

INFO

VENERANDA BIBLIOTECA AMBROSIANA
Piazza Pio XI, 2
20123 MILAN
ITALY

Tel. +39 0280692.1
[email protected]

FOR IMAGES REPRODUCTION REQUESTS, PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM ON THIS PAGE

BIBLIOTECA HOURS
Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.50
For printed books and manuscripts, reservation with at least two working days’ notice is highly recommended. The reservation must be addressed to: [email protected]
Reservation, in the same way as above, is mandatory for drawings, engravings, parchments and materials from archival funds.
Following the current unusability of part of the rooms used for book storage, some shelf marks may be unavailable.
The distribution of material that has not been booked will be limited to the time slot between 9.00 and 12.00.
Due to reasons of force majeure, the Library may be forced to reduce its service, up to and including the temporary closure.

MATERIALS EXCLUDED FROM CONSULTATION

PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK THIS PAGE FOR THE UPDATED LIST OF CLOSING DAYS FOR FESTIVITIES AND HOLIDAYS

Biblioteca

Cardinal Federico gave the Library to a multicultural character, oriented towards dialogue, writing as he did that even books from cultures and faiths other than Christianity can “bring us many benefits and make us knowledgeable about many things that are both beautiful and very beneficial”.

The particular richness of the texts dealing with philosophy, Christian theology and other religions (above all Islam and Judaism), as well as a wide range of ancient and modern literature makes the Ambrosiana a veritable treasure chest in which one can search for Truth, which has always charmed the human soul, in all regions and at all times.

LIBRARY RULES

Founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo and inaugurated in 1609, the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana is administered by the College of Fellows (Collegio dei Dottori), presided over by the Prefect.
The ordinary administration of the services is coordinated by the Head Librarian, who reports to the Director of the Library.
Assistance to scholars in the Reading Room is guaranteed by the library staff, as far as they are competent, and by the presence of a Fellow with the title of Head Librarian.

Notice to Thesis Supervisors, PhD candidates and graduates working on theses:
Thesis Supervisors, PhD candidates and graduates working on theses are requested to contact the Library Administration (e-mail: [email protected]), before assigning research topics that entail consultation of the materials in the reserve collections, subject to Special Rules for the consultation of manuscripts and incunabula (see Library Rules, Art. 4, §3).
This precaution is necessary because of the state of some materials, which precludes consultation. For information concerning the materials that can be consulted, see the relevant page.

ART. 1 – OPENING TIMES
§ 1. CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED OPENING HOURS AND ACCESS PROCEDURES
§2. It is closed: on public holidays; on the feast of St. Ambrose, patron saint of Milan (December 7); from 24 December to 6 January; from Thursday in Easter Week to the Sunday after Easter; during the summer holidays (as scheduled from year to year) and on other days shown on the calendar.

ART 2. – ADMISSIONS
§1. Access to the Library, after authorization and registration, is open to anyone 18 and older. Users are requested to wear attire suitable to the decorum of the institution.
§2. Access is subject to authorization by the Head Librarian, who will assess the applicant’s need to consult the Library holdings. Where necessary, a letter of presentation will be required.
§3. On entering and leaving the Library, users must fill in the register.
§4. On entry to the Reading Room, users must show their pass to library staff.
§5.The membership pass lasts one year and is of two types: ordinary (for consulting printed matter from 1901 only) and special (for all other printed materials and manuscripts).

ART. 3 – CONSULTATION
§ 1.Pass holders are allowed direct access the printed materials in the Reading Room. Those who have to use the steps to reach books, should apply to the library staff. After consultation, volumes must be left on the tables, without replacing them on the shelves.
§2. Applications to consult other printed matter, incunabula, manuscripts and archival documents should be made to the library staff using the forms in the Reading Room.
§3. Each user may submit a maximum of four requests daily.
§4.The staff distribute the material requested from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The material must be returned by 4.45 p.m. All users must leave the reading room by 4.50 p.m.
§5.Those who wish to continue to consult the material on the following day, should tell the library staff. If the applicant fails to appear the following day, the material will be put away and a new application should be made.

ART. 4 – MANUSCRIPTS AND RARE BOOKS
§1. When material of this type is provided for consultation, the library staff will request the user’s ID, to be held until the material is returned.
§2. If the material being consulted is a manuscript or other fragile or valuable document, the use of white cotton gloves is required, which can be purchased at the library distribution counter.
§3. Some printed matter, incunabula, manuscripts and archival documents are available with reserve. The scholar who wishes to consult such material must submit a written application to the Library administration in justification.
§4. To consult drawings a reservation is required: this can be made by e-mail at [email protected] .

ART. 5 – MATERIALS PERMITTED IN THE READING ROOM
§1. Users may not enter the Reading Room with overcoats, cloaks, bags of any kind, umbrellas, beverages, foodstuffs or any other objects not necessary for reading. Only paper and writing materials are allowed.
§2. Complete silence must be observed in the Reading Room.
§3. Users may bring and use laptops.
§4. Mobile phones must be in silent mode and must not be left on the work desks. It is strictly prohibited to make or answer phone calls or use any other audio function.
§5. For the use of other instruments (Wood lamp, microfilm/microfiche reader, etc.) please contact library staff.

ART. 6 – REPRODUCTIONS
§1. It is forbidden to use one’s own equipment to take photos of printed works, incunabula, manuscripts, drawings or any other kind of material being consulted.
§ 2. Applications for reproductions must be submitted online by filling the image request form (click here)
§3. Photocopying of manuscript and printed material prior to 1950 is prohibited. For photocopies of printed material after 1950, please contact the staff.
§ 4. The Library Administration has the right to prohibit reproduction in any form of any material that might be damaged in the reproduction process.

ART. 7 – STUDIES OF MATERIALS IN THE LIBRARY
§1. Normally, scholars present the Library with publications concerning the materials studied. Except for cases agreed on with the Administration, the consultation of degree theses delivered to the library is understood to be allowed.

ART. 8 – SINGLE DISCIPLINARY RULE
The Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana may suspend or prevent the renewal of the registration pass of any persons who, by their behaviour, have damaged the library material or caused a disturbance to the normal functioning of the Library itself.

INFO UTILI

VENERANDA BIBLIOTECA AMBROSIANA
Piazza Pio XI, 2
20123 MILAN
ITALY

Tel. +39 0280692.1
[email protected]

FOR IMAGES REPRODUCTION REQUESTS, PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM ON THIS PAGE

BIBLIOTECA HOURS
Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.50
For printed books and manuscripts, reservation with at least two working days’ notice is highly recommended. The reservation must be addressed to: [email protected]
Reservation, in the same way as above, is mandatory for drawings, engravings, parchments and materials from archival funds.
Following the current unusability of part of the rooms used for book storage, some shelf marks may be unavailable.
The distribution of material that has not been booked will be limited to the time slot between 9.00 and 12.00.
Due to reasons of force majeure, the Library may be forced to reduce its service, up to and including the temporary closure.

MATERIALS EXCLUDED FROM CONSULTATION

PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK THIS PAGE FOR THE UPDATED LIST OF CLOSING DAYS FOR FESTIVITIES AND HOLIDAYS

WHAT’S ON

MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT

Pinacoteca

MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT

11/05/2025-11/05/2025
Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

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)

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