A long lost medieval masterpiece is found beneath a layer of lime wash in the Tower of London. A secret message that only an elite few can read is encoded in a painting. In a portrait a duchess wears a gown that promotes her husband&;s policies and power in the guise of her style. The stories of these works, and many more, come to life in The Secrets of Art: Hidden Messages, Meanings and Mysteries, a book that takes us on a lively journey through the art world&;s mysteries and discoveries to reveal that works of art are not always what they seem. Drawing upon the findings of new technology, archival research, scientific analysis and old-fashioned curiosity, The Secrets of Art unveils the layers of meaning beneath the surfaces of well-known masterpieces in a collection of tales that are fully based in fact but are as fascinating as fiction.