Sala del “Grechetto”

A journey through flora and fauna alongside Orpheus.

Sala del “Grechetto” (ca.1650/1670) by Maestro di Palazzo Lonati VerriBiblioteca Sormani

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.

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

Sala del “Grechetto”, Maestro di Palazzo Lonati Verri, ca.1650/1670, From the collection of: Biblioteca Sormani
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Stork: "Ciconia Ciconia" (White Stork)

Sala del “Grechetto”, Maestro di Palazzo Lonati Verri, ca.1650/1670, From the collection of: Biblioteca Sormani
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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.

Sala del “Grechetto”, Maestro di Palazzo Lonati Verri, ca.1650/1670, From the collection of: Biblioteca Sormani
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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"

Sala del “Grechetto”, Maestro di Palazzo Lonati Verri, ca.1650/1670, From the collection of: Biblioteca Sormani
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"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”.

Sala del “Grechetto”, Maestro di Palazzo Lonati Verri, ca.1650/1670, From the collection of: Biblioteca Sormani
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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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