La Brera Art Gallery was commissioned by Maria Theresa of Austria in 1776 for educational purposes. It was meant to constitute a collection of exemplary works, intended for the training of students. When Milan became the capital of the Italian Kingdom, the collection, by the will of Napoleon, was transformed into a museum intended to display the most significant paintings from all the territories conquered by the French armies.
Starting from the early 1800s, also following the suppression of many religious orders, paintings seized from Lombard churches and convents were added, along with works of the same origin taken from various departments of the Italian Kingdom.
The Brera Art Gallery gathers in 38 rooms masterpieces by Italian artists from the 14th to the 19th century and by some of the greatest foreign artists. Among the most famous artists are Piero della Francesca, Mantenga, Raphael, Bramante, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, Bellini, Bronzino. In the entrance courtyard, you can see the work by Canova representing the effigy of Napoleon.
Among the most famous paintings kept here stands out the “The Marriage of the Virgin” by Raphael, the “Dead Christ” by Mantegna, the “Pietà” by Bellini. In the center of the courtyard is the bronze of Napoleon I sculpted by Canova.
