In I, Juan de Pareja, Trevino recreates the Spain of the first half of the 1600s.

During these years, Spain's empire included most of Latin America, parts of Africa, and parts of the Far East. It was a dynamic time of high adventure, great wealth, and significant achievements in the arts. I, Juan de Pareja illuminates this exciting time in a fascinating country. The story focuses on Juan, a slave who embarks on harrowing adventures, defying the odds and the law to fulfill his intense inner purpose: he teaches himself to be an artist. The novel shows how people lived in Juan's day and depicts the everyday lives of King Philip and the artist Velazquez. Juan de Pareja's adventures are sometimes exciting, always suspenseful, and enjoyable to read.