The Brera Picture Gallery, or Pinacoteca di Brera, is Milan’s main public art gallery and has an incredible collection of works from over six centuries of European art, boasting pieces by the likes of Rubens, Titian, Correggio and Anthony Van Dyck.
Housed in what was, originally, a 14th century monastery, it became an academy in the 18th century where, in order to educate the students of architecture, sculpture and various other arts who studied there, a collection of casts after the Antique was established. These initial collections of sculptures used for educating students then grew and began to include paintings and, in the 19th century, the academy and the gallery that had grown up were formally separated.
Housed in what was, originally, a 14th century monastery, it became an academy in the 18th century where, in order to educate the students of architecture, sculpture and various other arts who studied there, a collection of casts after the Antique was established. These initial collections of sculptures used for educating students then grew and began to include paintings and, in the 19th century, the academy and the gallery that had grown up were formally separated.
Eventually, the gallery was opened to the public and, today, it is one of the most important cultural institutions in the city. Among the incredible works housed there today is “The Marriage of the Virgin” (also known as Lo Sposalizio) by famous High Renaissance artist Raphael. One of his most beautiful works, it is a must-see for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Milan.
Completed in 1504 for the Franciscan church of San Francesco in Città di Castello, it is a rich oil painting that depicts the marriage ceremony of Mary and Joseph. It is one of three works commissioned by the patrons in Citta di Castello, which were actually sent to Raphael's teacher Pietro Perugino. In his absence, however, Raphael completed the work and thank God he did!
Said to have been inspired by a work that his master had painted (though this is debated), it was commissioned by a Filippo degli Albezzini for the church of Saint Francis and remained there until General Giuseppe Lechi led forces to Città di Castello to liberate it from Austrian occupation. It was taken by, or gifted to (depending on who you ask), Lechi, who later sold it to Giacomo Sannazaro. Sannazaro, in turn, sold the piece on, in 1804, to the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan and, in 1806, the hospital sold it to the Italian state. Since then, it has been on display in the Pinacoteca.
In the background, there is a stunning centralised temple, a perfect architectural form, a sprinkling of figures and a pretty Italianate landscape, while the foreground is occupied by the protagonists of the scene and wedding party. All of the figures are draped in beautiful fabrics in jewel tones and gilded accessories and have Raphael's characteristically sweet faces. The image as a whole is harmonious and incredibly pretty and a wonderful thing to stand in front of for as long as possible the next time that you are in Milan.
Completed in 1504 for the Franciscan church of San Francesco in Città di Castello, it is a rich oil painting that depicts the marriage ceremony of Mary and Joseph. It is one of three works commissioned by the patrons in Citta di Castello, which were actually sent to Raphael's teacher Pietro Perugino. In his absence, however, Raphael completed the work and thank God he did!
Said to have been inspired by a work that his master had painted (though this is debated), it was commissioned by a Filippo degli Albezzini for the church of Saint Francis and remained there until General Giuseppe Lechi led forces to Città di Castello to liberate it from Austrian occupation. It was taken by, or gifted to (depending on who you ask), Lechi, who later sold it to Giacomo Sannazaro. Sannazaro, in turn, sold the piece on, in 1804, to the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan and, in 1806, the hospital sold it to the Italian state. Since then, it has been on display in the Pinacoteca.
In the background, there is a stunning centralised temple, a perfect architectural form, a sprinkling of figures and a pretty Italianate landscape, while the foreground is occupied by the protagonists of the scene and wedding party. All of the figures are draped in beautiful fabrics in jewel tones and gilded accessories and have Raphael's characteristically sweet faces. The image as a whole is harmonious and incredibly pretty and a wonderful thing to stand in front of for as long as possible the next time that you are in Milan.
