It’s just a single painting, one of hundreds on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum. But, oh, the stories it tells. The painting is “La Vecchia,” Italian for “the old woman.” It’s on loan to the Cincinnati Art Museum from one of Europe’s greatest repositories of paintings, and will be on display through May 5.

It is an exhibition of a singular painting, the second time in recent years the museum has created a presentation around a single work of art by a European master. In viewing the piece, which has been newly restored, history — as well as grand, timeless themes — become real.