MILAN.- The Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana of Milan, Italy today announced the launch of “The Visi” (“The Faces”), the first NFT project to feature Leonardo da Vinci’s historic creations, pairing three rarely-seen drawings by the great Master with a limited collection of pfp evoking Renaissance settings. Each of the pfp works are registered on the Ethereum blockchain. The NFT collection will be available later this spring.

The initiative – initially launched on April 15, the birth date of da Vinci – will feature three original da Vinci drawings from the vault of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which possesses the world’s largest collection of drawings, plans and writings from the legendary Renaissance figure. These particular drawings – two of men, one of a woman – have been kept at the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana for more than 400 years, and demonstrate the great artist’s subtle ability to detail human expression and emotions, and breathe soul into his creations. The drawing of the young woman comes from da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus; the creations of the old man are from another archive of Leonardo’s unpublished drawings; the last one, an adult man, is by Francesco Melzi, the favorite pupil of the great Master.

Revenues earned from the sales and royalties of these NFT collectibles will support the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana to preserve the past and support its future. Notably, the museum will use these funds to conserve and restore existing works in its storied collection, modernize its historic building, invest in future artistic and cultural projects, as well as support the promotion of this digital initiative. “The Visi” will start to collect digital collectibles and the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana will consider the possible future showcase of the best NFTs from this initiative inside its historic building.

The Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo in September 1607, for the promotion of human and Christian values ​​through science and culture in the service of the Catholic Church. At its creation, it was one of the first libraries to be opened to the public, and was conceived as a center of study and culture. Today, it consists of the original library (holding approximately one million printed volumes and more than 40,000 manuscripts in Greek, Latin, and other languages), an art gallery, and a fine arts academy. Stemming from the Cardinal’s original inspiration, the Ambrosiana’s purposes are the training of the clergy, religious and laity, as well as spreading Christian culture and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, pursued in particular through the preservation, custody and enhancement of its Cultural Heritage (manuscripts, printed works, artworks, etc.).