This splendid tondo by Sandro Botticelli, made with the tip of the brush with the precision of a miniaturist, portrays an apparently conventional religious theme (the Virgin and Child), but it is actually laden with symbolism. The splendid “pavilion” or tent, is one of the most important Biblical symbols in both the Old Testament (the “tent of meeting” as the place of the presence of God) and in the New Testament (in the Gospel of John, to summarise the mystery of the incarnation, we read that “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”, in which the original literally means “dwelt as in a tent”). The two angels who open the “tent” thus reveal the mystery of the incarnation: the Son of God, who has become a child, born of the Virgin Mother.
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
