On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of the Flemish painter Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568-1625), the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, with the support of Intesa Sanpaolo, presents the new layout of Room 7, entirely dedicated to Flemish painting. On display are 32 masterpieces - including oils on copper and glass, canvases and enamels on ivory - accompanied by a new multimedia installation designed to offer the public an educational and immersive experience.
The works on display come from the fine collection of Cardinal Federico Borromeo, founder of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in 1607 and the Pinacoteca in 1618. Already during his Roman years, the Cardinal forged personal relationships with two artists particularly dear to him-Jan Brueghel and Paul Bril. When he was appointed Archbishop of Milan, Federico Borromeo wanted Brueghel at his side, maintaining an intense artistic bond even after the painter’s return to Antwerp, as the letters preserved at the Ambrosiana show.
Among the most significant paintings in the collection are Jan Brueghel’s Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells (1606), Jan Brueghel’s Allegory of Fire and Allegory of Water, also by Jan Brueghel (1608-1621), Paul Bril’s Sea View (1611), and a holy water stoup (1606-1607) made by Jan Brueghel with Girolamo Marchesini and used by the Cardinal himself.
The aesthetics of the two artists were deeply akin to the taste of the Cardinal, who wrote, “God reveals himself not only in sacred history, but also in the great and admirable book of nature and creation.” Their paintings are not just genre scenes, but true theological meditations that, through naturalistic representation, express the greatness of the Creator.
The rearrangement of Room 7, designed by architect Alessandro Colombo in collaboration with the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, aims to enhance the nucleus of Flemish works from the Cardinal’s 1618 donation. The reorganization is based on the introduction of wall display panels that subdivide the works according to an updated curatorial criterion. The goal is to make the arrangement as unobtrusive as possible, leaving full space for viewing the works. For this, the room has been repainted in a shade of blue designed to harmonize with the colors of the paintings, creating an environment in harmony with the architecture of the room.
The decision to arrange the works by author rather than by scope allows for a more articulate and in-depth narrative, making it easier to understand the stylistic and technical language of each artist.
“We are very pleased that the synergy with Intesa Sanpaolo has allowed us to celebrate this important anniversary with an installation that not only enhances the works with a new exhibition style, but also helps the visitor to enter into the details of these miniature works thanks to the most innovative technologies,” said Msgr. Alberto Rocca, Director of the Pinacoteca.
The new multimedia installation, created by Black Srl with Limiteazero, is dedicated to Jan Brueghel and Cardinal Borromeo. Through three interactive touch screens, the public can explore the paintings in detail, revealing their less visible details.
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| The Hall of the Flemings at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana refurbished for the 400th anniversary of the death of Jan Brueghel the Elder |
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