Milan and the “Pinacoteca Brera”

Hi Hive friends, how are you? For those of you, like me, who are eagerly waiting for the holidays, here’s a new post about one of the most famous cities in Italy — and surprisingly, I hadn’t introduced it to you yet! Let me start with a little riddle: it’s known worldwide for fashion and runways... Can you guess? That’s right: Milan! I’m not sure why I’ve never written a post about this city before. I’ve visited it about ten times, for both study and leisure, and every time I’ve found it more beautiful than the last. So... why not bring a bit of its culture here too?

Brera Art Gallery

In this post, I want to focus on one of the most famous artistic places in Milan,
as well as the home of one of the most important art academies in Italy: I’m
obviously talking about the Brera Art Gallery.
It was founded in the early 1800s by Napoleon Bonaparte, as an integral part of
the Academy of Fine Arts, which had been established in the previous century
under Austrian rule to promote the study of art history.
Today, the Brera Art Gallery houses some of the most famous masterpieces of
Italian art. Let’s discover a few together!

The work was created in the early years of his career, when he was only 21 years old. It was commissioned for a church near Perugia, and you can clearly see influences from the school of Perugino—for example, the composition is perfectly balanced and symmetrical, with the most important part of the scene, the wedding itself, positioned at the center. However, compared to his master, Raphael’s architectural perspective is much more precise. The scene depicts the exact moment when Mary and Joseph are married. The figures are harmonious, and behind them stands a temple. Joseph is placing the ring on a shy Mary, who turns her face away in a gesture of emotion.

Cristo Morto di Andrea Mantegna (1470‑1483) The artwork depicts the dead Christ lying down, with his feet facing the viewer. The setting perfectly conveys the moment, very dark and sad, reflecting the scene. This work is also important for its perfect use of perspective. Pala di Brera di Piero della Francesca (1472–1474) The artwork shows the Virgin with the Child and, kneeling nearby, the Duke of Urbino, Federico Montefeltro, who had commissioned the piece. Here too, you can see perfect order and geometric symmetry.

The painting depicts a couple passionately kissing. It is one of the most famous depictions of a kiss in the world. Beyond being a symbol of Italian Romanticism, the painting also carries a strong patriotic meaning, as it was created during Italy’s Wars of Independence for unification. The kiss expresses the love between the two lovers, a probable farewell because the man is likely going to war, and the sacrifice made for the homeland.

When talking about Milan, one cannot fail to mention its magnificent Piazza del Duomo with the grand Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. These are also symbols of the city and architectural supremacy. The Duomo is a symbol of Gothic architecture, while the Galleria represents the new Renaissance. If you find yourself nearby, I absolutely recommend visiting this little gem. Until the next post, Chiara.