The "Grechetto" room at Palazzo Sormani
These 23 paintings belong to a pictorial cycle depicting the myth of Orpheus and offer a unique insight into the knowledge of botany and zoology at the beginning of the 17th century. A "cabinet of curiosities" with more than 280 animal specimens and hundreds of botanical species.
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Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
"Christ is our Orpheus, who tames the wild beasts." Cardinal Federico Borromeo, 'De Pictura Sacra' - 1624
Stork: "Ciconia Ciconia" (White Stork)
Fallow deer: "Cervus Dama"
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Mandrill: "Mandrillus Sphinx": The mystery of the "unwritten" score
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Flamingo: "Phoenicopterus Ruber Roseus". A symbol of initiation since the classical era. Phoinikópteros, from phôinix –ikos – purple wings
Little Bittern: “Syncerus Caffer”
Purple Swamphen: ”Porphyrio Porphyrio”
Parakeet: “Aratinga Canicularis”
Seagull: “Rissa Tridactyla”
Dove: “Colombidae”
Antarctic Penguin: "Pygoscelis Antarcticus". The bird that could not fly.
Pelican: "Pelecanus Crispus". A symbol of the Eucharist. "This is he, who lay upon the bosom of our pelican: This he, into whose keeping from the cross the mighty charge was given." (The Divine Comedy - Paradise, canto XXV)
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Black Baboon "Papio Sp"
Dormouse "Glis Glis"
Agouti "Dasyproctidae Ind."
Pangolin "Manis Sp"
Arctic Fox "Alopex Lagopus"
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Lion: "Panthera Leo"
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Seal: "Leptonychotes Weddelli"
Garganey: “Anas Querquedula”,
Mallard: “Anas Platyrhynchos” and
Domestic Goose: "Anser Anser Domestica”
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Dog, Vulture and Goat:
"Canis Familiaris", "Aegypius Monachus" and "Capra Hircus"
"Cervus Dama": A rarity - an albino animal.
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
It was in the 17th century that the habit of keeping pets began to spread among the well-to-do classes.
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Dog: “Canis Familiaris”.
Dog: “Canis Familiaris”.
Cat: "Felis Catus".
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Babirusa Skull: "Babyrousa babyrussa"
Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani
Faun and Bacchae
Detail of the sly cat.
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