On May 10^th my partner John Cullen and I flew to Milan for a three-week visit to Italy, with plans to visit old friends (we lived in Rome for three years in the 90s), and to see wonders. I had a particular wonder in mind. I’m a fan of Piero della Francesca’s painting and have often gone out of my way to see his various surviving works. I had learned that a particular picture of his titled “the Flagellation of Christ” lived and doubtless still breathed its magic in the ducal palace of the medieval town Urbino. This painting has been called “the most interesting little painting in the world,” and I knew that studying the many prints and on-line photos of it could not compare to the experience of standing before the real thing. Why might this painting be worth a special trip? Click here to view a wonderfully informative video on Amor Sciendi that offers several good reasons.