The mind of the Renaissance artist differs from our modern mind in its habit of encoding meanings into symbols - everything from beehives to centaurs. Often these meanings drew upon a traditional symbolic repertoire available to Renaissance man but now largely disused. However, sometimes a more esoteric meaning was encoded in a painting, sculpture, building or other visual artefact, or in a text - perhaps even a hidden political message or an expression of heretical faith. The Secret Language of the Renaissance peels back these layers of meaning. For all those who relish secret symbolism and conspiracies, as well as all lovers of the art of Renaissance Italy, this book will instruct and delight in equal measure.
