A richly decorated fifteenth-century portal featuring portraits of some of Milan’s most prominent medieval women has been restored at the Certosa di Pavia, one of northern Italy’s most important historic monuments. The restoration has returned the elaborate sculptures to public view.
Dating to the final decade of the fifteenth century, the portal takes its name from its sculpted portraits of women associated with Milan’s ruling families. These include Caterina Visconti, Beatrice di Tenda, Antonia dei Malatesta di Cesena, Bianca Maria Visconti, Beatrice d’Este, Isabella d’Aragona and Bona di Savoia.
The portraits are arranged around an elaborate religious composition. Above the tympanum are Caterina Visconti, flanked by Antonietta Malatesta and Beatrice di Tenda. Other duchesses appear in pairs along the frieze.
The tympanum features a high-relief sculpture of God the Father giving his blessing, while the lunette depicts the Virgin and Child receiving the homage of Carthusian monks. Figures representing the Virtues decorate the arch, and the four Doctors of the Church occupy niches along the portal’s jambs. Two Renaissance sculptors contributed to the work. Tommaso Cazzaniga created the lunette, while Gian Cristoforo Romano was responsible for the busts of the duchesses.
The restoration included diagnostic investigations into the materials, artistic techniques and history of the portal, providing researchers with a better understanding of its construction and decoration.
“The restoration of the Portal of the Duchesses has been a commendable example of collaboration between institutions and associations,” said Rosario Maria Anzalone, Director of the State Museums of Lombardy. “The Certosa di Pavia, a magnificent treasure trove of artworks, bears witness to an extraordinarily productive period in the history of Lombard art.”
Lucia Taormina, President of Soroptimist International of Italy, adds that “the restoration of the Portal of the Duchesses fully fulfils the aims of the Fund for Art and the values and objectives of our Association. The intervention concerns a cultural heritage asset of exceptional importance, celebrates the women depicted, who were so significant in their time, and, in its execution, has highlighted female expertise of the highest calibre.”
With the scaffolding now removed, visitors to the Certosa di Pavia can once again appreciate this late medieval monument, which combines religious imagery with portraits commemorating the women of Milan’s ruling dynasties.
A richly decorated fifteenth-century portal featuring portraits of some of Milan’s most prominent medieval women has been restored at the Certosa di Pavia, one of northern Italy’s most important historic monuments. The restoration has returned the elaborate sculptures to public view.
The restoration of the Portale delle Duchesse (Portal of the Duchesses), located in the right transept of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, was presented to the public earlier this month. The project was carried out through a collaboration between the Regional Directorate of National Museums of Lombardy and Soroptimist International of Italy, following an agreement signed in December 2025.
Dating to the final decade of the fifteenth century, the portal takes its name from its sculpted portraits of women associated with Milan’s ruling families. These include Caterina Visconti, Beatrice di Tenda, Antonia dei Malatesta di Cesena, Bianca Maria Visconti, Beatrice d’Este, Isabella d’Aragona and Bona di Savoia.
The portraits are arranged around an elaborate religious composition. Above the tympanum are Caterina Visconti, flanked by Antonietta Malatesta and Beatrice di Tenda. Other duchesses appear in pairs along the frieze.
The tympanum features a high-relief sculpture of God the Father giving his blessing, while the lunette depicts the Virgin and Child receiving the homage of Carthusian monks. Figures representing the Virtues decorate the arch, and the four Doctors of the Church occupy niches along the portal’s jambs. Two Renaissance sculptors contributed to the work. Tommaso Cazzaniga created the lunette, while Gian Cristoforo Romano was responsible for the busts of the duchesses.
The restoration included diagnostic investigations into the materials, artistic techniques and history of the portal, providing researchers with a better understanding of its construction and decoration.
“The restoration of the Portal of the Duchesses has been a commendable example of collaboration between institutions and associations,” said Rosario Maria Anzalone, Director of the State Museums of Lombardy. “The Certosa di Pavia, a magnificent treasure trove of artworks, bears witness to an extraordinarily productive period in the history of Lombard art.”
Lucia Taormina, President of Soroptimist International of Italy, adds that “the restoration of the Portal of the Duchesses fully fulfils the aims of the Fund for Art and the values and objectives of our Association. The intervention concerns a cultural heritage asset of exceptional importance, celebrates the women depicted, who were so significant in their time, and, in its execution, has highlighted female expertise of the highest calibre.”
With the scaffolding now removed, visitors to the Certosa di Pavia can once again appreciate this late medieval monument, which combines religious imagery with portraits commemorating the women of Milan’s ruling dynasties.
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