I Am Venus

This fictional account of the seventeenth-century Spanish painter's life is "a very enjoyable read . . . A portrait of Velázquez and a meditation on love" ( Washington Independent Review of Books).   Narrated by the mysterious model who posed for Rokeby Venus, Diego Velázquez's only surviving female nude, I Am Venus is the riveting account of a great artist's rise to prominence, set against the backdrop of political turmoil and romantic scandal. A sweeping story of scandal and passion, and a vivid recreation of a corrupt kingdom on the brink of collapse, I Am Venus is a thrilling novel that brings to life the public and private worlds of Spain's greatest painter.   "A well-plotted read with engaging characters and rich detail. Fans of Tracy Chevalier and Elizabeth Kostova as well as art history buffs will enjoy Mujica's interpretation." — Library Journal   "A worthwhile read . . . Mujica continues her realistic representation by loading the text with rich historical detail [that] instantly creates a sensory world for her readers to inhabit." — Booklist   "Mujica's prose is vigorous and intense, and the story is paradoxically both dark and illuminating." — Kirkus Reviews