Two among Twelve: Saint James the Less and Saint Philip

May 3rd 2024
at 1:45 e 4:30 pm ENG
at 2:45 and 4:45 pm ITA

On the occasion of the day dedicated to the celebration of Saint James the Less and Saint Philip, the masterclass will deepen the profound emotions and particular reactions of this “two among Twelve” Apostles painted by Leonardi da Vinci: seated on the right and left-hand side of Christ, James and Philip both react in a very personal and intimate way to the incomprehensible revelation of the betrayal, being so much involved personally.
Mostly considering the studies and the vivid words by Da Vinci, we will try to find an answer to many questions, such as why are their reactions expressed as we can clearly see in the painting? Which are the sources followed by the artist, so expert about natural and human truth? Who were James the Less and Philip? What detail is connected to ancient literature and what is born from Da Vinci’s imagination only?

The masterclass visit lasts 45 minutes
The cost is € 9,00 per person (including the whispers system) in addition to the ticket

Saint Peter: passion and determination

June 29^th 2024
at 8:45 am and 2:45 pm ENG
at 9:00 am and 4:45 pm ITA

Among the Twelve Apostles painted by Leonardo da Vinci there is a Saint who is not able to sit down: jumping forward and with an interrogative attitude, he invites John to move closer whispering a question. His name is Simon, called Peter, who is seated at the right hand side of Christ: he wants to know the name of the betrayer, quickly moving his knife behind his back far from his friends. A preparatory sketch by Da Vinci witnesses that the strange position of Saint Peter’s arm has always been conceived like this. During the visit, we will focus on such an intriguing figure and on the reasons why Da Vinci painted him as a particularly resolute and active man. 

The masterclass visit lasts 45 minutes
The cost is € 9,00 per person (including the whispers system) in addition to the ticket

Saint Mary of Graces, a miracle for Milan

July 2nd 2024
at 9:45 am and 10:45 am ENG
at 10:15 am and 11:15 am ITA

When in 1463 the architect Guiniforte Solari starts the construction of the Dominican convent of Saint Mary of Graces where Leonardo da Vinci will paint the Last Supper more than 30 years after, the previous chapel of the Virgin of Graces will be preserved, considered to be the core of the complex, true heart for the devotion of the friars and the community. Located at the center between the church and the convent, this little chapel displays, today like before, a miracolous image of the Virgin Mary, moved from his original seat only during the first lockdown on march 2020, in order to be easily contemplated on the altar, as a kinf of solace for the believers.

The visit will be the occasion to deepen the history of the Dominican building site, included in the Unesco World Heritage List together with the Last Supper by Da Vinci since 1980.

The masterclass visit lasts 45 minutes
The cost is € 9,00 per person (including the whispers system) in addition to the ticket

Saint Thomas: hesitation and curiosity

July 3rd 2024
at 9:45 am and 10:45 am ENG
at 10:15 am and 11:15 am ITA

While we are contemplating the Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci, we are attracted by a face, or better a profile among the Twelve Apostles: attentive glance, doubtful attitude, hand and finger up as to ask a question.

His name is Saint Thomas and we all connect his story to the episode of his scepticism after the Resurrection of Christ. In the moment painted by Leonardo we find him deeply living the moment of the revelation of the betrayal, investigating the true sense of the words of Christ heard a few seconds before. During the visit we will focus our glance on his question, his doubt and his curiosity, in comparison with the reactions of James the Great and Phillip nearby who are sharing such a tragic moment with the same theatrical positions and attitudes.

The masterclass visit lasts 45 minutes
The cost is € 9,00 per person (including the whispers system) in addition to the ticket

Saint James the Great: shock and strength

July 26^th 2024
at 9:45 am and 10:45 am ENG
at 10:15 am and 11:15 am ITA

Who are the Apostles seated immediately at the right and left hand side of Christ into the painting of the Last Supper by Da Vinci? It is a matter of two brothers, depicted in such different attitudes that they witness opposite personalities. To the sweetness of John, in fact, we must compare the power of James the Great who is totally shocked, opening his arms and shouting as if he is not understanding or bearing the words of Christ and the betrayal: so close to him, James is moved away as after a shock wave pushing him far from Jesus who is even more isolated at the center of the composition. The masterclass visit will deepen and discover again the figure of James the Great, even thanks to the preparatory sketches by Leonardo da Vinci which are witnessing a deep meditation on such a central figure for the painting. 

The masterclass visit lasts 45 minutes
The cost is € 9,00 per person (including the whispers system) in addition to the ticket

Milan at Leonardo’s times

Why did Leonardo decide to move from Florence to Milan in his thirties?

What was he told about Milan? What made him decide to leave Florence where he had established a successful career and move to a new town, meeting new people but also facing unbearable difficulties?

After the contemplation of the Last Supper, a true masterpiece by the Florentine Master, which was made possible by the patronage of the Duke of Milan Ludovico il Moro, we move to the educational room. Here, using VR headsets, we immerse ourselves in the Milan of Leonardo and Ludovico’s times.

ITA/ENG
The masterclass visit lasts 75 minutes
The cost is € 21,00 per person (including the whispers system) in addition to the tickets