We set off for the Sforza Castle – an amazing structure, the imposing historical seat of the Dukes of Milan. The large, handsome courtyards now included a collection of numerous Greco-Roman items, also paintings, sculptures, including the Museum of Furniture and Wooden Sculptures, the Museum of Musical Instruments and lastly, the moving last work by Michelangelo – the Pieta Rondanini in the Ospedale Spegnilo – with segments of earlier frescoes still visible. Once outside, we saw the remains of a moat that once encircled the whole city of Milan.
Fortunately, Ken had booked us a guided tour months in advance and we finally arrived at the Church Santa Maria Della Grazie where, in the Refectory, we saw displayed the magnificent Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) – painted between 1494-98. It was very moving to see this magnificent fresco once again after more than 50 years (in 1968 – when I just walked in without fuss or booking!). We gazed in awe at Leonardo’s superb composition: the seated figure of Jesus framed by the middle of 3 windows, a rhythmic distribution of figures and expressive facial expressions on either side of Jesus, as well as the balanced forms of blue and orange colours.
The friendly guide recommended the Pinoteca Ambrosiano, with drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. So we walked to this imposing Palazzo/church which included the collection of Cardinal Boromeo – founder of the Ambroziana in 1618. Painterly gems included Bruegel (1525-1569), Titian (Tiziano 1506-1576), Caravaggio (1571-1610), Botticelli (1445-1510, Leonardo da Vinci’s Portrait of a Musician (1464-1519)and Roman sculptures in the cloisters and handsome yard. This massive library held the world’s largest collection of Leonardo da Vinci drawings – some on display (his construction geometry drawings were now on show): impressive free-hand circles in sepia colour. Amazing…
Later we walked to the main cathedral, Duomo di Milano where we beheld an amazing Gothic structure begun in 1386 and completed in l965! It was now closed and impossible to enter without a booking, so we walked around this massive, ornate group of spires, admiring the many sculpted figures adorning every niche and façade. Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned King of Italy in 1805 in the Cathedral of Milan!
