The book describes complex, sometimes tragic, but fascinating stories of people's lives. People who experienced the betrayal of loved ones, the terrible whirlwind of wars and revolutions, who felt the brunt of repression and violence. People who survived against all odds. People are funny and touching, eccentric and cynical. People who, by the will of fate, meet in order to unravel the mystery of an ancient book. A book in which a skillful copyist encrypts the key to the revenge of the great artist, whom Philip III the Good, Duke of Burgundy, so imprudently humiliated several centuries ago.