Forty years ago, Ginzburg, a non-historian of art, set out to refute on the basis of external elements, related to patrons and iconography, the early date – advanced by one of the leading art historians of the 20th century, Roberto Longhi – of such a capital work as Piero's ‘Flagellation’. So is this a book that argues with art historians (who have criticized it, sometimes harshly)? Also, but not only. Investigations into Piero is aimed at all those who love the painting of Piero della Francesca, who appears here in an unexpected light.

This new edition, extensively illustrated, includes additional material by Ginzburg dealing with the work of Roberto Longhi, the dating of the Arezzo Cycle, and the rediscovery of della Francesca in the twentieth century.

«The persuasiveness of his brilliant chain of argument is such that, in the end, the conclusions seem as firm as if based on first-hand documents». The Times

«A cerebral detective story that uncovers the still pertinent bond between power and art.» The Village Voice

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