Marquesa by Peio H. Riaño unveils an extraordinary chapter in Spanish art history with scholarly precision and narrative flair. This compelling chronicle explores the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, when a woman styling herself as “Marquesa” plunders museum storerooms, appropriating monumental tapestries, paintings, and priceless cultural objects. Blending meticulous research with vivid storytelling, Riaño brings to life a cast of figures — from custodians of heritage to antiquarians and collectors — enmeshed in a true tale that reads like fiction, including an episode involving the sale of forged masterpieces to institutions such as the Prado Museum. Far from a mere recounting of thefts, this book prompts reflection on the vulnerability of cultural heritage and the enduring importance of safeguarding artistic legacy