In his short book, first published in 2000, Daniel Arasse (1944–2003), one of the most prominent French art historians of the second half of the 20th century, offers a close examination of several classic works of 16th- and 17th-century painting, including such iconic works as Titian's 'Venus of Urbino' and Velázquez's 'Las Meninas.' Written in the form of letters to a student, the book, written in a relaxed and engaging manner, demonstrates the profound significance that seemingly insignificant details can have in art, and the fruitfulness of an iconological approach with elements of semiotics.