Publisher's Synopsis
Diego Velázquez, a brilliant young artist from Seville, living in Seventeenth Century Spain realizes his dream when called to be court painter to the Habsburg King, Phelipe IV.Once at the palace, older Renaissance artists, led by a court artist Vicente Carducho, show determined opposition to him and his coarse Baroque art.Diego is warned of enemies by an old acquaintance, Don Luis Góngora, and told of unknown minders who will keep watch over him. These minders belong to a Secret Society that sees a way to bring Spain back to her place of European dominance - through the arts. Not being a man of the sword, and gaining inner strength from his new friend and fellow artist Rubens, he takes to the canvas employing his brush to intimidate and ward off his assailants. With much at stake, a tangle of espionage and counter-espionage engulfs not only Spain, but also Italy when the king gifts Diego a sabbatical there. Revenge rises as an ugly monster when another of Diego's painting offends. Accusations of Diego's heretical ways come before the Inquisition. Allegations center on a commission done in Diego's youth. Who is the woman in the painting and why could this canvas seal Diego's doom? Answers are urgently sought before the Inquisition Tribunal pronounces its verdict. The stakes are further raised, as a painting, a nude, comes to an avaricious Cardinal's attention. This canvas cannot so easily be explained away and must be brought as evidence against Diego. What now for him?
