Ambrosiana

Revolving Neapolitan Crèche, detail

CRÈCHES AT THE AMBROSIANA
FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE MUSEO DEL PRESEPIO OF DALMINE

From December 1st until the end of January, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana hosts a widespread exhibition of nativity scenes, coming from the Museo del Presepio of Dalmine.
On show, eleven crèches from all over the world: Neapolitan, Lombard, African, Burmese crèches made with the most diverse techniques.

Those made of paper, obtained from special “cutting sheets” mounted on rigid supports and arranged in a scene, were donated to the Dalmine Museum by a private collector and can all be dated between the end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century.

Among these, the reproduction of the crèche created by the artist Giuseppe Carsana in 1868 for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Rho and the transposition in print of some characters of the famous “crèche of Gernetto” painted by Francesco Londonio, a painter widely represented in the Ambrosian collections, stand out. The exhibition aims to be a contribution to the rediscovery of the charm and enchantment of paper nativity scenes, widespread in Europe since the first half of the eighteenth century, which are a significant part of the Catholic tradition. It is an artistic and cultural heritage which in recent years has been re-evaluated by researchers and collectors, allowing the formation of collections of great value which include the most diverse types.

The revolving Neapolitan crèche is displayed in the Medusa room: a classic scenography in cork, the typical Neapolitan rock, houses this nativity teeming with characters. Next to the sacred scene of the Adoration of the Magi we find scenes of daily life such as the wonderful tavern with the set table. On the back a shepherd sleeps: it is Benino, a typical figure of the Neapolitan nativity scene that symbolizes the one who fell asleep in the old world and awakens in the new Christian world. Some ancient Neapolitan figures are also exhibited at the beginning of the exhibition tour. It is a Holy Family, two Moors with horses, the latter recalling the figures represented in the procession of Titian’s Adoration of the Magi, and three Magi of extraordinary workmanship, with finely modeled faces made of  terracotta and glass paste. The beards, the hair and even the wrinkles: every detail gives great expressiveness to these majestic characters. The dresses are in hand-sewn silk, decorated with golden trimmings and embroidery.

The Lombard plaster crèche, made in the twentieth century with molds and models from the nineteenth century, has come down to us in excellent condition, despite the very fragile material. The iconography of the characters is rich with figures in different attitudes and all finished with particular care, dressed in tunics according to the Lombard tradition of the plaster nativity scene.
The handcrafted production of plaster crèche figures in Lombardy was active from around 1700 to 1940 when, almost suddenly, it ceased due to the advent of plastic figures, which were less expensive and, above all, less fragile. The statues were made in the workshops using wooden casts. Painting and decoration was entrusted almost exclusively to women.

Of the two African nativity scenes, one is in carved rosewood, the other is in metal with beautiful figures of seated musicians playing. Finally, the Burmese crèche is in painted and gilded wood, a unique crèche that encompasses the West, in the message, and the East in the style.

On 17 December there will also be an exclusive Christmas event which includes a concert in the Sala Federiciana followed by a guided tour of the Crèches exhibition.

<blockquote><p>Revolving Neapolitan creche</p></blockquote>

Revolving Neapolitan creche

WHAT’S ON

SYMPHONIC CHRISTMAS NOTES:<BR> EVENING VISIT AND CONCERT IN THE SALA FEDERICIANA

Pinacoteca

SYMPHONIC CHRISTMAS NOTES:
EVENING VISIT AND CONCERT IN THE SALA FEDERICIANA

Free evening visit of the Pinacoteca, to discover the great masterpieces of the Renaissance masters followed by a concert in the Sala Federiciana to the notes of Sammartini and Mozart

15/12/2023-15/12/2023
DECEMBER 7 TO 10: OPENING HOURS AND GUIDED TOURS FOR THE LONG WEEKEND

Ambrosiana

DECEMBER 7 TO 10: OPENING HOURS AND GUIDED TOURS FOR THE LONG WEEKEND

Opening hours and initiatives from December 7 to 10

23/11/2023
NEWS
The Cartoon for the battle of Ponte Milvio by Giulio Romano on display in the Pinacoteca

Ambrosiana

The Cartoon for the battle of Ponte Milvio by Giulio Romano on display in the Pinacoteca

From Novembre 23 on display in the Pinacoteca, room 1

23/11/2023
NEWS
VISIT OF THE PINACOTECA AND OF THE CRYPT INCLUDED IN THE NEW YESMILANO CITY PASS

Ambrosiana

VISIT OF THE PINACOTECA AND OF THE CRYPT INCLUDED IN THE NEW YESMILANO CITY PASS

Visit the Pinacoteca and Crypt with YesMilano City pass, the Official Pass for the city of Milan with public transport included.

30/10/2023
NEWS
 The historical and literary sources of the Betrothed

Pinacoteca

The historical and literary sources of the Betrothed

From 12 October 2023, rooms 2 and 3 of the Pinacoteca, exhibition included in the entrance ticket to the museum.

12/10/2023-19/12/2023
Exhibition
GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Ambrosiana

GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Every Saturday at 15.30 a guided tour of the masterpieces of the Pinacoteca, together with professional guides of our official partner AdArtem

01/04/2023-30/12/2023

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
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)
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine (later Leopold II), Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Holy Family with Sain John, Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1553)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 12 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
llias picta, NA
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
Armillary sphere, NA
Orrery, Sconosciuto
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo