by Redazione 05/11/2026
Categories: Ancient art / Disclaimer
To mark the 400th anniversary of the death of the Flemish painter Paul Bril, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan is once again exhibiting *Landscape with Hermits* and *Landscape with Shepherds and Pilgrims* in Gallery 7. Both works were created in 1590 and restored with the support of Intesa Sanpaolo.
Two paintings by Paul Bril (Antwerp, 1554 – Rome, 1626) are once again on view at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan following restoration work. The works are *Landscape with Hermits* and *Landscape with Shepherds and Pilgrims*, both painted in 1590. They were unveiled to the public on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and are once again on display in Room 7, dedicated to Flemish painters. The restoration is part of the initiatives marking the 400th anniversary of the artist’s death and was made possible thanks to the support of Intesa Sanpaolo.
The two canvases, painted in tempera on linen, underwent restoration guided by the principle of minimal intervention. The priority was to improve the conservation condition of the original materials, focusing efforts on reattaching the paint layer to the support and restoring chromatic balance. Before proceeding with the restoration, several diagnostic tests were conducted, including non-invasive analyses and photographic documentation under visible, oblique, and ultraviolet light, as well as two micro-samples of paint. These assessments provided a deeper understanding of the constituent materials and helped identify the most suitable products, enabling the development of a targeted and safe restoration protocol.
The characteristics of the canvases and their response to stress during the procedures made it possible to minimize the impact of the intervention, while maintaining the preservation of the original surfaces as the guiding principle.
*Landscape with Hermits* features a composition rich in detail, centered around a steep road flanked by winding trees. The scene includes a river, some ruins, and a cove, as well as a mountainous silhouette receding into the background. The landscape features monks, a shepherd resting beside his flock, and several travelers. The presence of animals is equally significant: numerous birds enliven the view, including two large herons positioned on the right.
Like most of Bril’s works preserved at the Ambrosiana, this painting also entered the Pinacoteca’s collection thanks to a donation by Cardinal Federico Borromeo in 1618. Stylistically, the work is linked to the mural decoration created by the artist during the pontificate of Sixtus V. The choice of tempera—an unusual technique for this genre of painting—also echoes the larger-scale decorative schemes developed by Bril.
*Landscape with Shepherds and Pilgrims* is also executed in tempera on canvas and features a complex spatial composition. In the foreground, a stone structure with two arches is visible; one of the arches is replaced by a wooden walkway. In the background, a mountainous landscape extends from the right toward the center of the composition, while on the left the view opens onto an estuary traversed by numerous boats. Shepherds, flocks, and travelers bring the scene to life.
The painting brings together some of the characteristic elements of Bril’s landscape work. The composition unfolds through pronounced diagonals, while depth is created through the distribution of light and the alternation of illuminated and shaded areas. This interplay of contrasts guides the eye toward the horizon and helps organize the different planes of the view.
Statements
“Restoring two works from Federico Borromeo’s original collection to their former splendor,” says Alberto Rocca, director of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. On the 400th anniversary of the death of Paul Bril—a painter whom the cardinal loved and protected—this endeavor represents an act of fidelity to the Ambrosiana’s roots. “We are grateful to Intesa Sanpaolo: when a company places itself at the service of beauty, it renews that idea of culture as a common good that Federico laid as the foundation of his institution.”
“The return of these two works to the exhibition hall, following their restoration, allows us to rediscover the quality and richness of Paul Bril’s painting,” states Andrea Canova, President of the Congregation of Conservators of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana. “These paintings are part of the Ambrosiana’s earliest history and bear witness to Federico Borromeo’s relationship with the Flemish artist. Caring for this heritage means passing it on, in its entirety, to future generations. I thank Intesa Sanpaolo for this ongoing collaboration and for making the restoration possible, as well as all those who worked on it with expertise and care. Today, the Ambrosiana is proud to renew its bond between the Art Gallery and the city with this return.”
“By supporting the restoration of these two works by Paul Bril,” says Stefano Lucchini, Chief Institutional Affairs and External Communication Officer at Intesa Sanpaolo, “Intesa Sanpaolo renews its commitment to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, an institution of extraordinary value to Milan and the country, by contributing to the preservation of a heritage that is part of our community’s history and identity. We believe that collaboration between cultural institutions and private entities is essential to preserving this common good and making it accessible to future generations.”
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| Two landscapes by the Flemish artist Paul Bril return to Milan after restoration: the paintings date from 1590 |
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