On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568 –1625), the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana presents the rearrangement of room 7 dedicated to the Flemish painters – 32 masterpieces including oils on copper and glass, canvases and enamels on ivory – and a new multimedia installation designed to create an experience that is both engaging and educational.
Among the works on display, all collected by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, some masterpieces stand out, such as the Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells (1606) by Jan Brueghel, the Allegory of Fire and the Allegory of Water (1608-1621), also by Jan Brueghel, the Seascape (1611) by Paul Bril, and the holy water stoup (1606-1607) made by Jan Brueghel with Girolamo Marchesini and used by Federico Borromeo.
The reorganization of the room, designed by architect Alessandro Colombo in collaboration with the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, was born from the idea of enhancing the paintings with a new layout that can disappear as much as possible and allow the best view of the works of art. For this reason, a chromatic reconfiguration of the entire room was chosen with a blue studied in consonance with the shades of the paintings. The choice of redistributing the works by author, rather than by area, brings a series of advantages especially in terms of narration and enhancement.
Room 7 at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan, photo: Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana
Finally, the multimedia installation dedicated to Jan Brueghel and Cardinal Borromeo offers a digital experience that combines art, science and spirituality. Thanks to three interactive touch screens, the paintings are revealed in the most hidden details, immersing the visitor in an interactive journey through beauty, knowledge and wonder.