The fresco The School of Athens in the Vatican stages a scene with 58 characters, among whom, grouped around the central figures, Plato and Aristole, the ancient world's most famous thinkers can be identfied. Raphael masterfully synthesises the history of thought and human wisdom, not only in the space he creates (a virtual 'temple of philosophy', humanistically speaking), but also in time, lending these ancient philosophers the facial features of some of his most talented contemporaries, including himself, naturally. In any case, above and beyond the variety of at times quite subtle theories as to who is who in the fresco, many of which we shall examine here, the most exciting discovery surely when we grasp the astonishing quality of an undisputed masterpiece; a paean to the virtually 'divine' nature of human thought, retrieved from a mythical past, relaunched and turned into concrete action thanks to the new awareness of the Renaissance man.

This new series examines several highly regarded masterpieces in an attempt to unravel the mysteries that surround them. Through an innovative concept and a fresh approach, Art Mysteries, edited by Carminati and Stefano Zuffi, presents an up to date and spectacular reading of famous paintings, investigating key clues that suggest previously unknown background information. Velazquez's 'Las Meninas', now at the Prado in Madrid, is one of the most famous paintings ever. It was executed in 1656 in Madrid and depicts the Infanta Margaret Theresa of Spain surrounded by ladies-in-waiting (Las Meninas) and in the company of the painter, who portrays himself at work. But is this really the subject of the painting? A journey through the historical events of the painting and a meticulous analysis of all the figures present on the scene will allow the reader to in part resolve the many puzzles that still shroud this supreme masterpiece of the European Baroque.

Inspired by the story of Christ's first miracle as recounted in the Gospel of St. John, Paolo Veronese's dazzling, monumental painting The Wedding at Cana was comissioned to be hung in the refectory of the Benedictine monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The artist stages a sumptuous banquet for the wedding guests at Cana, packed with intriguing details: a seemingly endless parade of precious drinking vessels, platters and cake stands containing mouth-watering desserts. Veronese transforms a religious scene into a wordly event, a glamorous ceremony whose participants include not only a colourful bevy of cosmopolitan Venetians of the artist's day, but also a generous sampling of servants, jesters and animals, all of this against the backdrop of magnificent architectural perspectives and luminous skies. Veering from realism to the fantastical, in a virtuoso display of his own vision of art and life, Veronese's masterpiece reserves at least two remarkable surprises, once the true identity of a number of personages is revealed: the bride and groom, and especially the musicians who perform for them.

This new series examines several highly regarded masterpieces in an attempt to unravel the mysteries that surround them. Through an innovative concept and a fresh approach, 'Art Mysteries', edited by Marco Carminati and Stefano Zuffi, presents an up-to-date and spectacular reading of famous paintings, investigating key clues that suggest previously unknown background information. According to a recent survey, Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa', the Louvre masterpiece, is still considered the most famous painting in the world; and yet, despite popular acclaim is still shrouded in shadow and mystery. Who is the women in the portrait? Why does she seem to be smiling at us? Why did Leonardo never finish nor sell the painting? Why is it now in France? These and other questions make this book a compelling read. Following the story of the 'Mona Lisa', we'll travel from luxurious Florentine palazzi to the magnificence of Versailles, from the austere rooms of the Louvre to World War II air raid shelters. Not to mention the sensational theft that, in 1911, had the whole word waiting with bated breath...