What great paintings say

Jan van Eyck’s 15th-century masterpiece The Arnolfini Portrait has intrigued art historians for centuries, but what secrets does it contain?

William Hogarth’s satirical series provided humour with a serious undertone. Discover the meaning behind his painting Marriage à-la-mode: 2. The Tête à Tête

Instantly familiar and much parodied, Grant Wood’s Depression-era painting American Gothic leaves observers with more questions than answers

This highly unusual painting of Dido Elizabeth Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray sheds new light on the experiences of people of colour in 18th-century England

Painted by the artist of the cream of Tudor society – including the royals themselves – this painting appears at first glance to be a typical portrait of a French diplomat and his friend. But hidden within the display of wealth and grandeur are signs of discord and disruption