Duchessa di Milano, Ambrogio di Predis
A brief glimpse of what I found the other day at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. An amazing gallery and library started in 1618 by Cardinale Borromeo, it also houses a huge collection of Leonardo's works, including the Codex Atlanticus. On display in an ancient room filled with books you can't help but be impressed by Leonardo's brilliance. Maybe it's just me but I always sort of pass by Leonardo, 'Oh yes, Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, I know I know' but seeing all of his detailed astronomical sketches, his neat but illegible notes, made me want to know so much more about him. How many times, I wonder, have I missed an opportunity to learn about him? I'm determined to discover more about him, and also Cardinale Borromeo and his clan, the Visconti family, and the Sforzas. It's hard to walk down a street in Lombardy and not pass something owned, built or conquered by these three families. Even my header: The Isole Borromeo (above) are still owned by the Borromeo family!
1 comment:
This is a very good travel suggestion. I'm going to Milan next week and have been looking into ideas to fill my days; this is the best one yet! I'll be going there, many thanks.
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