Expo 2025 Osaka will host four drawings from Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus at the Italian Pavilion, which will be displayed on a rotating basis throughout the duration of the Expo, offering an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Leonardo da Vinci’s wonders to the world. The exhibition of the precious pages of the Codex Atlanticus, owned since 1637 by the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, founded by Federico Borromeo in 1607, is made possible through a collaboration with the Municipality of Milan, which has developed the “Milan and Leonardo” project. The goal is to promote Milan and Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy on an international level by highlighting the entirety of Leonardo’s Milanese works and encouraging the discovery of an extraordinary moment in the city’s history, marked by a unique interpretation of the Renaissance thanks to the presence in Milan of exceptional figures such as Leonardo and Bramante, brought there by Ludovico il Moro. The Codex Atlanticus, consisting of 1,119 sheets, stands as one of the most remarkable testaments to Leonardo da Vinci’s thought and creativity; the four drawings, selected by the Municipality of Milan and the Italian Pavilion under the guidance and supervision of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, will offer visitors a unique chance to explore the Master’s ingenuity through his sketches, spanning science, technology, art, and architecture.
The exhibition aims to celebrate Leonardo da Vinci’s multifaceted genius and his enduring influence across various disciplines, reinforcing Milan’s image as a global symbol of Italian creativity and culture. “Thanks to the exhibition of the Codex Atlanticus, Milan will take center stage at Expo 2025 Osaka; showcasing this masterpiece at the Italian Pavilion means promoting our cultural identity on a global stage and represents a unique opportunity to reaffirm Milan’s role as the guardian of Leonardo’s legacy and a capital of innovation and creativity; Leonardo spent the most fruitful years of his career in Milan, leaving an indelible mark on the city and its history; thanks to the collaboration with the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana and the General Commissariat for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Milan establishes itself as a key player in an international event that celebrates art, science, and human ingenuity,” stated Ass. Riva, Milan’s Councilor for Tourism, Sports, and Youth Policies. “It is with great satisfaction that the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan, presents four precious sheets of the Codex Atlanticus at the Italian Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, bearing witness to Leonardo’s genius; this loan represents not only a bridge between cultures but also a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci’s boundless vision, whose legacy continues to inspire ingenuity and innovation worldwide,” said Mons. Rocca, Director of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. “The decision to bring some of Leonardo da Vinci’s sheets to Expo 2025 Osaka, a timeless symbol of Italian genius, should not be seen as a mere homage to the past – commented Amb. Mario Vattani, General Commissioner for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka – in our commitment to portraying a dynamic Italy projected onto the world stage, the Codex Atlanticus becomes a testament to the constant striving for a harmonious fusion of art, engineering, and science that lies at the core of Italian identity and our capacity for innovation.” The Italian Pavilion at Expo Osaka, designed by architect Mario Cucinella, is a modern reinterpretation of the Renaissance ideal city, featuring elements typical of our country’s urban identity; the Pavilion’s theme, “Art Regenerates Life,” interprets “art” in a broad sense, as a synonym for beauty, culture, and creativity; within this context, Leonardo’s drawings fit perfectly, marking the starting point of a conceptual and exhibition journey that connects masterpieces of ancient art with contemporary installations bridging art and science; the pages of the Codex will be available to the public starting April 13, 2025, when the Italian Pavilion at Expo Osaka opens its doors.
