'The Madonna of the Almonds'

The year is 1525. A gifted young artist, Bernardino Luini of the Da Vinci school, is commissioned to paint a religious fresco in the hills of Lombardy. His eye is caught by the beautiful Simonetta di Saronno, recently widowed by the Italian Wars.

Captivated by her beauty and her sadness Bernardino paints her likeness, immortalizing her as the Madonna in his famous work which can still be seen in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazia in Saronno...

See more about 'The Madonna of the Almonds'

'The Glassblower of Murano'

Venice, 1681. Glassblowing is the lifeblood of the Republic and Venetian mirrors are more precious then gold. Jealousy guarded by the murderous Council of Ten, the glassblowers of Murano are virtually imprisoned on their island in the lagoon.

But the greatest artist of their number, Corradino Manin, sells his methods and his soul to the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, to protect his secret daughter...

See more about 'The Glassblower of Murano'