This painting is open to various interpretations, partly due to the symbolism of the many objects that fill the scene and that surround this enigmatic female figure who is shown pressing against her breast. It has been suggested, for example, that this is an allegory of Melancholy, or of Science. However, it is probably Philosophy nourishing and feeding the various liberal arts: the armillary sphere alludes to astronomy, the lute to music, the pair of compasses and the plumb-rule to geometry, mathematics and architecture, and the open books refer to the sciences in general. Lastly, we can see how the woman is holding the rod of authority and indeed Philosophy not only nourishes the arts (the pressed breast), but is also their apex and queen (the sceptre).
An exhibition that aims at reconstructing the "considerable collection of books” belonging to Don Ferrante, which Alessandro Manzoni describes in the Promessi Sposi (The Bethroted).
The combo ticket Duomo + Ambrosiana is available in a new version which includes also the Ascent on foot to the Duomo terraces and access to the San Sepolcro Crypt.
Every Saturday at 15.30 a guided tour of the masterpieces of the Pinacoteca, together with professional guides of our official partner AdArtem
Until June 13, 2023 the Crypt of San Sepolcro hosts the exhibition “Oliviero Rainaldi. 2023 AD”, an exhibition that traces the life of Christ in five episodes, birth, infancy, martyrdom, death and resurrection.
