El misterio Velázquez

Nicolás Pertusato arrives at the Madrid court from Italy while still just a child. Far from those who once protected him, he must learn to survive in a world of endless corridors, unyielding rules, mockery, and secrets. There, he meets Diego de Acedo, the intelligent Maribárbola, and Juan Pareja; he also discovers the meaning of friendship, the value of one’s word, and the power of memory. But it is his encounter with Diego Velázquez that will alter his destiny: the great painter brings him into his inner circle, making him a privileged witness to the creation of an extraordinary painting. As Velázquez works on the piece that would become *Las Meninas*, Nicolás finds himself caught in a troubling web of palace intrigues, visions, and enigmas. What mystery lies hidden behind the canvas? Why do some secrets seem to defy time itself? A gripping historical novel that recreates 17th-century Madrid, introducing young readers to the world of Velázquez, the realm of art, and one of the most fascinating paintings in history.