Ambrosiana

The Ambrosiana was, is and must remain a source of research, dialogue, knowledge, culture and spirituality, always in the spirit of the motto that Manzoni placed as the ideal seal on Federico Borromeo’s work: ‘A steady intent in the search for and practice of the best.’

Biblioteca

The Ambrosian Library, founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo on 1607 and inaugurated on 1609, was one of the earliest libraries to grant access to all who could read and write. It was conceived by its founder as a centre for study and culture.

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Pinacoteca

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was established in April 1618, when Cardinal Federico Borromeo donated his collection of paintings, drawings and statues to the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which he had founded in 1607.

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Accademia

The Accademia purpose is to raise the Ambrosiana to the level of an Agora, a place devoted to fostering the dialogue between diverse peoples and heterogeneous
cultures, a crossroads between North and South, East and West.

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  • Opening hours: Saturday 27/4/2024
    • Biblioteca: today we are closed, sorry
    • Pinacoteca: today we are open 10.00-18.00
  • Piazza Pio XI, 2 Milano | t +39 02 806921
  • Hours: Saturday 27/4/2024
    • Biblioteca: today we are closed, sorry
    • Pinacoteca: today we are open 10.00-18.00

What’s on

The program of exhibitions, conferences and meetings of the Library, Pinacoteca and Ambrosiana Academy at your fingertips.

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

Pinacoteca

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

An itinerary through the treasures of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana curated by Federico Gallo and Stefano Martinelli Tempesta | Pinacoteca, rooms 2 and 3

25/04/2024-23/07/2024
Exhibition
MOLESKINE DETOUR

Pinacoteca

MOLESKINE DETOUR

From April 15, on the occasion of Design Week, the rooms of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana will host 'Moleskine Detour', an international exhibition promoted by Moleskine and the Moleskine Foundation.

15/04/2024-14/05/2024
Exhibition
Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Ambrosiana

Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Recovery of the functionality of the balconies of the Sala Federiciana, Borromeo and della Rosa through the installation of lifelines

01/03/2024
NEWS
Notice for the users of the Reading Room

Biblioteca

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

01/04/2023-30/06/2024
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

01/04/2023-30/06/2024
Notice for the users of the Reading Room

Biblioteca

Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Ambrosiana

Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Recovery of the functionality of the balconies of the Sala Federiciana, Borromeo and della Rosa through the installation of lifelines

01/03/2024
NEWS
MOLESKINE DETOUR

Pinacoteca

MOLESKINE DETOUR

From April 15, on the occasion of Design Week, the rooms of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana will host 'Moleskine Detour', an international exhibition promoted by Moleskine and the Moleskine Foundation.

15/04/2024-14/05/2024
Exhibition
THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

Pinacoteca

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

An itinerary through the treasures of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana curated by Federico Gallo and Stefano Martinelli Tempesta | Pinacoteca, rooms 2 and 3

25/04/2024-23/07/2024
Exhibition

The other faces of the Ambrosiana

The most magical and ancient places of Milan: the ancient Forum where Constantine, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine and Theodosius walked, and the lower Church of Santo Sepolcro, built by the Crusaders… as well as a colossal statue of St. Charles Borromeo on Lake Maggiore; a Museum-Home at the Sacro Monte of Varese; a Foundation dedicated to the promotion of young artists: this is also the Ambrosiana!
Discover the other institutions of the Ambrosiana

CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO

The church of San Sepolcro was founded in 1030, when a Milanese moneyer named Rozzone built a church on the ancient Roman forum. Archbishop Ariberto d’Intimiano solemnly consecrated it to the Holy Trinity.

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LODOVICO POGLIAGHI MUSEUM-HOME

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

LODOVICO POGLIAGHI MUSEUM-HOME

Lodovico Pogliaghi was one of the most significant Lombard artists to live in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

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ROMAN FORUM

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

ROMAN FORUM

Between 1990 and 1992, archaeological excavations conducted underneath the ancient cellars of the Ambrosiana brought to light a portion of the pavement of the ancient Roman forum, the heart of Mediolanum's political, economic and religious life.

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MARCO MANTOVANI FOUNDATION

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

MARCO MANTOVANI FOUNDATION

The Marco Mantovani Foundation seeks to preserve and enhance the works of the sculptor Marco Mantovani, as evidence of the life of an artist dedicated to sculpture and art.

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THE COLOSSUS OF SAINT CHARLES IN ARONA

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

THE COLOSSUS OF SAINT CHARLES IN ARONA

The Colossus of Saint Charles in Arona, which popular tradition has affectionately dubbed San Carlone, was created in the seventeenth century at the behest of Federico Borromeo, archbishop of Milan and founder of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.

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ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
llias picta, NA
Orrery, Sconosciuto
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
The Madonna of the Pavilion, Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi detto) (1444 o 1445-1510)
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
Armillary sphere, NA
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 12 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
The Arco della Pace in Milan, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
The Holy Family with Sain John, Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1553)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 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. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)