Made for the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, this window was again shown in London to celebrate the sixth centenary of the birth of Dante in 1865. It was purchased for the Ambrosiana by public subscription in 1867. The poet is seated on a Gothic throne, flanked by the enigmatic Matilda and by Beatrice.
Above, three episodes from Hell are represented: on the right Dante, meets the three beasts that hinder his path out of the dark forest (canto I); in the center one can see the poet in a faint, overwhelmed by pity for the fate of Paolo and Francesca (canto V); finally, on the left the demon Flegiàs ferries Dante and Virgil on the Stygian swamp towards the fiery walls of the city of Dite (canto VIII).
On the sides of the scene taken from canto V, St. Dominic and St. Francis, founders of the mendicant orders, act almost as a mediation to the upper register, where the Virgin enthroned, dressed in white and venerated by angels, is depicted.
The author of this work, Giuseppe Bertini, created numerous stained glass windows for the Milan Cathedral.
Every Saturday at 15.30 a guided tour of the masterpieces of the Pinacoteca, together with professional guides of our official partner AdArtem
Opening hours of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and of the San Sepolcro Crypt for the upcoming holidays
From April 6 to May 9 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.
The Archbishop of Milan, His Excellency Mons. Mario Delpini, has appointed Msgr. Marco Maria Navoni Prefect of the College of Fellows of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana with effect from 27 February 2023.
Rooms 2 and 3, the exhibition is the first in a series dedicated to showing us what is not normally displayed, for a wider enhancement of the Institution's heritage.
Crypt of San Sepolcro open until April 2 2023, every Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 to 17.30 | last access 17.00
