Across the country, there are some fascinating spring exhibitions that highlight great European art and craftsmanship—from the Renaissance art of painting on stone, on show in St. Louis, Missouri, to luxury silver animals on permanent display in Hunstville, Alabama. Renaissance Gems: Paintings on Stone For around 150 years, some Renaissance artists painted on stone as if it were a canvas or panel. It’s a wonderful yet little-shown art form. Over 70 paintings on stone, by 58 artists from worldwide collections, are now on display in the exhibition “Paintings on Stone: Science and the Sacred 1530–1800” at the St. Louis Art Museum. The museum’s curator for European art to 1800, Judith Mann, curated the exhibition, which includes her research into the art and geological information. Mann’s 15-year quest to find out more about paintings on stone began in 2000, when the museum acquired a stunning “Perseus Rescuing Andromeda” on lapis lazuli. …