Marvelous Museo della Certosa isn’t it? Before you stands a testament to Milan’s rich past. The Museo della Certosa di Pavia houses treasures reflecting the artistic heights of the Visconti-Sforza era. Its origins lie in the late 14th and 15th centuries when Gian Galeazzo Visconti a powerful lord commissioned its creation. The Certosa initially belonged to the Carthusians then the Cistercians and briefly the Benedictines.
Restoration efforts in the late 19th century under Luca Beltrami sparked the idea for a museum. It first opened in 1911 showcasing Beltrami’s installation. Unfortunately it closed the following year only to permanently reopen in 2008. The museum itself resides within the Ducal Palace the Visconti-Sforza family’s summer residence. The palace overlooks the Certosa’s grand courtyard. Architect Francesco Maria Richini elegantly updated the facade in 1625. He created a harmonious row of windows between pilaster strips enhancing the building’s luminosity.
The Museo della Certosa’s collection spans two floors. Downstairs lies the Gipsoteca a recently renovated plaster cast gallery. It boasts impressive plaster casts of the church facade’s reliefs. Other works that adorned the monastery are also featured. An information system guides visitors through the collection. Upstairs the Pinacoteca or picture gallery is located. It holds sculptures and the frescoed Studiolo a stunning yet lesser-known Renaissance interior. Luca Beltrami’s original 1911 installation is carefully preserved.
Among the highlights is a plaster cast of Ludovico il Moro and Beatrice d’Este’s funerary monument. Cristoforo Solari sculpted the original marble masterpiece. It now rests in the church’s transept. You might be surprised to know that another such cast exists at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. The museum also showcases Bartolomeo Montagna’s Madonna with Child on the Throne. This sizable panel painting from around 1490 was a commission from the Carthusian monks.
The Studiolo’s vault is a sight to behold. Its spectacular grotesques and a central representation of Constantine’s Dream. Faux bas-reliefs in the lunettes depict fascinating stories from various eras. These stories include tales of historical figures like Attila. The artists of the exceptional Studiolo wall frescoes remain mysterious. They might have been created by multiple artists working across different periods. The narrative follows the journeys of several holy monks and hermits. The story of St William of Fenoglio includes a donkey’s leg.
The museum’s collection extends to Bernardino Luini’s exquisite panels of St Ambrose and St Martin. These are believed to be part of a lost polyptych. Also displayed is Antonio Mantegazza’s Flagellation of Christ. This marble tile is one of three likely remnants of a polyptych on the Life and Passion of Christ. The architecture displayed in the background evokes Bramante’s work. The extraordinary technique reflects Donatello’s stiacciato style. It’s a real privilege to have access to these masterpieces. The Museo della Certosa truly unveils the splendour of this remarkable place.