A Renaissance masterpiece is unveiled, but its mystery remains unsolved

 
Giovanni da Riminis small and exquisite panel painting Scenes from the Lives of the Virgin and Other Saints was painted between 1300 and 1305 in the wealthy Adriatic port city that is now attached to his name. The scene depicts a variety of narratives, including the coronation of the virgin, Saint Catherine preaching to pagan philosophers andmost importantly, at the top leftthe ascension to heaven of Saint John the Evangelist, until recently believed to be Saint Augustine.The big questio