One of the finests museums of Milan has been founded at the beginning of 17th century by Cardinal Federico Borromeo together with Ambrosiana Library and Accademia del Disegno.
It was a time when Reformation after initial successes in Europe received strong resistance from the Catholic Church. The movement against Reformation needed the support of educated people, and here the artists were able to study the best techniques of Renaissance ( and earlier ) art through the sketches or casts, read the unique volumins from the library, and meet the final product – the paintings commissioned by the great artists.
Initially the gallery consisted of 720 paintings gathered by the Cardinal himself and in the following centuries was enriched by various donations and aquisitions, inculding collections of Giovani Edoardo De Pecis and Manfredo Settala.
The style of probably the greatest Renaissance artist, Leonardo Da Vinci students were able to study by watching his sketches, enlarged copies of which are on display today in separate glass boxes, along with a portrait of a Musician, and early Leonardo’s work.
Near the main entrance to the museum among the other casts of various famous Roman sculptures hides the cast to Pieta, a masterpiece by Michelangelo.
Before executing the final painting Raphael took a lot of preliminary skeches and preparations. The cartoon prepared for the later fresco of School of Athens ( in Vatican )shows the figures of temporary artists, among them a face of Leonardo.
Among other great Renaissnce artists worth mentioned are Titian, whose works are reppresented by the painting Adoration of the Maggi, and Caravaggio with his famous Basket of Fruits.
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Piazza Pio XI 2
Phone 02-80 69 21.
Opening hours 10am–5:30pm
( Tue–Sun)
[ photo courtesy of Nick Grosoli]
