The most mysterious, most fascinating, most beloved Dominican princess and the lover of Jesus Christ, Francisca Joias were born around 14th century in the city of Manzanillo. She was one of those rare characters of Spanish history who became a national celebrity in the 16th century, while still belonging to the humble class of women. She was a member of the nobility and as a young woman she had been apprenticed in the household of Don Francisco de Assisi, the mayor of the town. As she trained in the fine arts, she discovered her true vocation and that was painting.
In her painting she showed a style that is still recognized even today. She was very skillful, so much so that she was sought after by the royal families of Spain, Portugal, and Brazil, where she spent the next ten years of her life. One of her most famous paintings shows her reclining on a large bed, hands at her sides, feet on the ground, surrounded by flowers. This can be seen as a symbol of chastity and marriage, but one can also surmise that it may simply be an attempt to show off the giant size of her figure. Whatever the case, she was a very accomplished and popular artist during the reign of Queen Isabella of Spain.
In the fifteenth century Joias began traveling to the continent of Europe, where she became known for her paintings. From here she traveled to the court of Charles IV of France and later to Spain, where her works were praised by the King and Queen Charles. Queen Isabella was so impressed with Joias’ skills that she commissioned her to paint frescoes for her bedroom and bathroom. In addition to being a talented and accomplished artist, Francisca was also a talented cook, which contributed to her being named the cook of the Royal Court.