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

GUIDED TOUR THE MAGNIFICENT AMBROSIANA<BR>APRIL-JUNE 2023

Ambrosiana

GUIDED TOUR THE MAGNIFICENT AMBROSIANA
APRIL-JUNE 2023

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

01/04/2023-24/06/2023
PINACOTECA AND SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT: OPENING HOURS FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS

Ambrosiana

PINACOTECA AND SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT: OPENING HOURS FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS

Opening hours of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and of the San Sepolcro Crypt for the upcoming holidays

16/03/2023
NEWS
OLIVIERO RAINALDI: 2023 AD

Ambrosiana

OLIVIERO RAINALDI: 2023 AD

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.

06/04/2023-09/05/2023
Exhibition
Mons. Marco Navoni is the new Prefect of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Ambrosiana

Mons. Marco Navoni is the new Prefect of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

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.

27/02/2023
NEWS
SECRET AMBROSIANA: CURIOSITIES FROM THE COLLECTIONS

Pinacoteca

SECRET AMBROSIANA: CURIOSITIES FROM THE COLLECTIONS

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.

02/02/2023-02/05/2023
Exhibition
SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT OPEN DURING WEEKENDS UNTIL APRIL 2

San Sepolcro

SAN SEPOLCRO CRYPT OPEN DURING WEEKENDS UNTIL APRIL 2

Crypt of San Sepolcro open until April 2 2023, every Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 to 17.30 | last access 17.00

14/01/2023-02/04/2023

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

llias picta, NA
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Orrery, Sconosciuto
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine (later Leopold II), Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779)
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Madonna of the Pavilion, Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi detto) (1444 o 1445-1510)
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)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
Armillary sphere, NA
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
The Arco della Pace in Milan, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)