The exhibition Bramante e la sua cerchia 1480-1500, promoted by Provincia di Milan - Culture Department, in association with Region Lombardy - Cultures, Identities, Self-governments of Lombardy and Credito Valtellinese Group Gallery, is meant to discover some of the hidden art treasures that can be found in Milan and in Lombardy. In fact, along with Bramante e la sua cerchia 1480-1500, these days the Province is also sponsoring Specchio d'Europa. L'età dei Visconti e degli Sforza, an exhibition hosted at the Spazio Oberdan focusing on the role of two very important families and on the growth of a great principality, which led to the expansion of Milan in Europe.
Such were the cultural co-ordinates that saw Bramante's activity.
Luciano Patetta, history of architecture professor at Milan Polytechnic and entrusted with the exhibition supervision, introduces Bramante to the great public, taking into account the great variety of roles he played (e.g. architect, painter, designer) and analysing his major works and the relationships existing between the Master and the circle of artists who followed his example. That's why the exhibition focus has been placed on Milan, as well as on the other Lombard provinces, i.e. Pavia, Lodi, Cremona, Como, Varese, Brescia, and Sondrio.
The exhibition presents a series of guided tours to discover Bramante's masterpieces. Credito Valtellinese Group Gallery is the true exhibition centre, where you can look at relief maps, plans, computer renderings, as well as at original works: e.g. engravings, panels, paintings, frescos. Still, there are capitals, candelabra, friezes, bas-reliefs and cornices.
As far as architecture is concerned, the exhibition basically presents engravings and views of the 17th and 18th century. In particular, there are twelve wooden models of the most important buildings of the Sforza's Age, e.g. Bramante's project for the Milan Cathedral dome.
The exhibition also presents a few prominent artists of the period who played a secondary role. Giovanni Antonio Amadeo was the major Lombard sculptor of the 15th and 16th century, who worked with Bramante for the realisation of several works (e.g. he completed the dome of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan). Giovanni Battagio worked in the church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro and realised the most beautiful and articulated central plan of the late 15th century (Santa Maria della Passione). Gian Giacomo Dolcebuono worked at the Milan Cathedral and at the church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro. Also Leonardo (projects for the central plan) belongs to the circle of artists who co-operated with Bramante. In fact they worked together in Milan, as well as in Pavia and Vigevano. In the early 16th century, Bramante's school had a strong influence on Bartolomeo Suardi, known as Bramantino. In fact, Bramante's model for the sacristy of San Satiro originally inspired Bramantino's activity at the Cappella Trivulzio.
A documentary film on Bramante's activity in Milan and in Lombardy realised by the Province of Milan Audiovisuals Service and directed by Anna Zanoli will be broadcast no stop to complete the exhibition.
After visiting the exhibition hosted at Credito Valtellinese Gallery you will be ready for looking at Bramante's masterpieces that can be found throughout the city of Milan.
Don't miss the opportunity to visit places that are generally not open to the public. In fact, Milan Tourist Office in association with the City Guide Centre organised some guided tours to: "Cortile della Rocchetta", the "Ponticella" and the "Sala del Tesoro" with Argus fresco inside the Sforzesco Castle, Santa Maria delle Grazie sacristy, the Ca' Granda with its cross that is now used as a library and San Satiro sacristy. Tours, which you can book as from Thursday March 29 at Milan Tourist Office every Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., will be made on Saturdays and on Sundays. The exhibition guide book, which is available at the Gallery (240 pp. L. 38,000) and includes itineraries, images, a description and a comment on Bramante's works in Milan and in Lombardy, will be published by Skira.

Exhibition focus
Milan on Bramante's arrival (1479), Bramante painter, Bramante and the ancient art, Amadeo sculptor and architect, Leonardo architect, Bramante architect in Milan, Bramante's circle of artists: Battagio, Dolcebuono, Amadeo, Cristoforo Solari, the Bramantino.

Tours of Lombardy to discover Bramante's masterpieces
We suggest you should go the following places: Saronno- the Shrine, Busto Arsizio-Santa Maria di Piazza, Legnano-San Magno, Como-the Cathedral, Tirano- the Shrine, Vigevano- the Square and the Castle, Pavia-Certosa, the Cathedral, Santa Maria di Canepanova, Lodi-L'Incoranata, Crema-Santa Maria della Croce, Cremona-Fodri Palace, Abbiategrasso-Santa Maria Nuova.

Press offices:

Credito Valtellinese Group Gallery, phone: 02/48008015, fax 02/4814269
Province of Milan - Culture Department, phone: 02/77406358/9, fax 02/77406356
Mara Vitali Communications, phone: 02/781221