1. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, also known as The Last Supper, is one of the world’s most famous masterpieces. Created between 1495 and 1498, this wall painting is located in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Commissioned by Ludovico il Moro, it depicts the moment when Jesus announces the betrayal of one of his disciples. The work is famous for its ability to capture the emotions and reactions of the apostles, making it an icon of Renaissance art.
Techniques used by Leonardo
Leonardo did not use the traditional fresco technique for the Last Supper, but experimented with a dry technique using pigments spread on a white preparatory layer. This method, although innovative, made the work vulnerable to time and humidity in the refectory. A few years after its completion, the painting began to deteriorate, requiring numerous restorations. Today, thanks to a significant restoration in 1977, we can still admire this masterpiece, albeit in a less brilliant form than the original.
How to book a visit
Visiting the Cenacolo Vinciano is an unmissable experience for anyone in Milan. However, due to its popularity, tickets must be booked well in advance. Visits are organised in small groups to preserve the work and ensure a more intimate experience. You can book tickets online at the Cenacolo Vinciano’s official website or through authorised agencies. Don’t miss the opportunity to see one of the greatest masterpieces of art history up close!
2. The Kiss by Francesco Hayez
“Hayez’s ‘The Kiss’ is more than just a portrait of two lovers. Painted in 1859, this painting has become a symbol of the Italian Risorgimento. Set in a medieval era, the painting conceals a message of rebellion against the foreign occupation in Italy. The kiss between the two young people represents love for the homeland and the fight for the unification of Italy.
Symbolism and interpretations
Behind the apparent simplicity of the kiss, numerous symbols are concealed. The dagger hidden under the cloak and the suspicious shadow in the background are details that suggest a context of conspiracy and resistance. This painting is not only a romantic icon, but also a powerful political message.
Where to admire it
If you want to see ‘The Kiss’ in person, you have to go to the Pinacoteca di Brera. This museum houses the original of the painting, donated by Count Alfonso Maria Visconti in 1886. The Pinacoteca di Brera is one of the most fascinating places in Milan, and a visit here is a must for any art lover.
3 Dead Christ by Andrea Mantegna
Andrea Mantegna’s Dead Christ is one of the most impressive and revolutionary works of the Renaissance. Conserved in the Pinacoteca di Brera, this painting, created between 1475 and 1478, depicts the body of Christ lying on a stone slab, covered by a sheet. The particularity of the work lies in the point of view chosen by Mantegna: Christ is seen in foreshortening, creating a perspective effect that immediately captures the viewer’s attention.
The use of perspective
Mantegna used a bold and innovative perspective for his time. The body of Christ is represented in such a way that it appears to extend towards the observer, an effect that accentuates the drama and solemnity of the scene. This use of perspective is one of the elements that make the Dead Christ a masterpiece of great technical and artistic achievement.
The Impact on Renaissance Art
Mantegna’s work had a significant impact on Renaissance art. His ability to combine realism and perspective influenced many later artists. The Dead Christ is not only a work of art, but also a profound reflection on death and suffering, expressed with an emotional force that continues to touch anyone who observes it.
4. Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini
The Pietà Rondanini is the last sculpture created by Michelangelo Buonarroti. Begun in 1552 and reworked until 1564, shortly before his death, this sculpture represents a tormented and unfinished work. Michelangelo wanted to create a Pieta for his burial, but the project underwent numerous changes over the years. The statue shows Jesus in the arms of Mary, but with an innovative fusion of the two bodies that expresses a profound union between mother and son.
The significance of the Pieta
This work is a testament to Michelangelo’s final meditation on death and the salvation of the soul. Unlike his previous works, here the artist renounces the perfection of the human body to represent suffering and fragility. The dead Christ becomes a symbol of pain, striking for its modernity and emotional intensity. The Pietà Rondanini is a masterpiece that reflects Michelangelo’s inner conflict and his struggle with matter.
Its location in the Castello Sforzesco
Today, the Pietà Rondanini is kept in the Museum of the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Originally, the work was located in the Palazzo Rondanini in Rome, from which it takes its name. In 1952, the sculpture was moved to Milan, where it has become one of the museum’s main attractions. If you visit Milan, you cannot miss the opportunity to admire this extreme masterpiece by Michelangelo, which continues to inspire and move visitors from all over the world.
5. Unique Forms of Continuity in Umberto Boccioni’s Space
Futurism was a revolutionary artistic movement, and Umberto Boccioni was one of its main exponents. Born in 1882, Boccioni sought to capture the dynamism and energy of modern life. His most famous work, ‘Unique Forms of Continuity in Space’, perfectly represents these ideals. Created in 1913, this sculpture is an icon of Futurism and can be found at the Museo del Novecento in Milan.
Analysis of the work
‘Unique Forms of Continuity in Space’ is a sculpture that seems almost to be in motion. Its fluid and dynamic lines give the impression of a body moving forward in space, breaking with the static tradition of classical sculpture. The work is so representative of movement that it was chosen for the reverse side of the 20 cent euro coins minted in Italy. Observing it closely, one can see the expressive details that make this sculpture unique.
Where to find it
If you want to see this extraordinary work live, you must visit the Museo del Novecento in Milan. Located in Piazza del Duomo, the museum houses a vast collection of 20th century art, with a section dedicated to Futurism. Here, you can see ‘Unique Forms of Continuity in Space’ and other works by Boccioni up close, fully immersing yourself in the energy and vitality of the Futurist movement.
6. The Seven Heavenly Palaces by Anselm Kiefer
- Hangar Bicocca
- free visit
Since 2004, Anselm Kiefer’s Seven Heavenly Palaces have been a permanent presence at the Hangar Bicocca in Milan. This monumental installation consists of seven reinforced concrete towers, between 14 and 18 metres high. The work is a mix of heaviness and lightness, recalling symbols of the Jewish mystical tradition and ancient civilisations.
Symbolism and meaning
The installation is named after the Sefer Hechalot, an ancient Hebrew text describing a spiritual journey towards the divine. The towers represent this journey, with each element symbolising a step towards knowledge and spirituality. Kiefer used materials such as concrete and lead to create a work that is both solid and fragile.
Guided tours and timetables
You can visit the installation for free at Hangar Bicocca. Guided tours are available and offer a unique opportunity to better understand the deeper meaning of the work. Opening hours vary, so it is always best to check the official website before planning your visit.
7. Caravaggio’s Basket of Fruit
Caravaggio’s Basket of Fruit is an iconic painting, preserved at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Painted between 1594 and 1598, this masterpiece is a perfect example of Caravaggio’s realism. Caravaggio, with his extraordinary skill, manages to render every detail of the fruit and the wicker basket with incredible precision. The leaves pierced by insects and the dried twigs almost seem to come out of the painting, creating a breathtaking three-dimensional effect.
Detailed analysis of the painting
In this painting, Caravaggio celebrates the imperfect beauty of nature. The fruit, with its imperfections and signs of decay, represents the fragility and transience of human life. This concept is further emphasised by the wicker basket, which seems almost about to give way under the weight of the fruit. The Basket of Fruit is considered one of the most emblematic still lifes in art history, a work that revolutionised the genre and influenced countless subsequent artists.
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and its works
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is one of Milan’s most important museums and houses a vast collection of artworks, including Caravaggio’s famous Canestra di Frutta (Basket of Fruit). Founded in 1618 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, the picture gallery is a must-see for art lovers. In addition to the Basket of Fruit, here you can admire masterpieces by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli. A visit to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is a journey through centuries of art history, an enriching and inspiring experience.