Il Libro di disegni della Biblioteca Ambrosiana

The realization of the rich drawing collection of the Ambrosiana in Milan goes back to the years of Federico Borromeo, who positively wanted to ensure the institution he had founded with a large number of "book of drawings", the characteristic format such collections were given by the taste of the time. No recollection exists of the original organization of these volumes, on which several drawings were attached. A coherent recognition of documentary sources found both at the Library and at other structures - covering a time-span that goes from the early 17th century to the late 19th century - allowed to retrace the history, as well as most of the original features, of one of the most ancient among such precious books. The collected data seem to bring up the possibility that the former owner - and maybe maker - of the Book was the milanese - though born in Urbino - architect Giovanni Battista Clarici (1542-1602). The drawings included in the Book were taken after works by several artists from the 16th century, perhaps with the intent of representing the most relevant pictorial schools of the Renaissance. Despite that, a truly milanese character stands out, particularly in a striking series of caricatures inspired by the example of Leonardo, alternated with some outstanding original drawings by the Florentine master.