This work is essential for understanding the masterpieces of art history, as it puts under the microscope some of the most famous canvases in the world to uncover their smallest and most subtle elements, and everything they can reveal about a culture, a place, and a past era.

By directing our gaze to the tiniest details and the symbolism behind the works, Rose-Marie and Rainer Hagen allow the most well-known images to come alive again through their complexities and intrigues. Is the bride pregnant? Why is the man wearing a cap? How does the shadow of war hang over a dance scene? Thus, we travel from ancient Egypt to modern Europe, from the Renaissance to the wild twenties. We meet Greek heroes and German poets living in poverty. We visit cathedrals and cabaret clubs, the Garden of Eden, and a bench in a garden in rural France.

When we break down a painting and then reassemble it like a great puzzle, these famous canvases captivate not only for their rich details but also for the testimony they offer of the fashions and trends, the people and politicians, the loves and lifestyles of their time.