In 1593 the Emperor of Morocco applied to Philip II. for the loan of a
painter, to which the latter made answer that they had in Spain two
sorts of painters--the ordinary and the excellent--and desired to know
which his infidel brother preferred. "Kings should always have the
best," replied the Moor; and so Philip sent him Blas de Prado to Fez.
There he painted various works for the palace, and a portrait of the
monarch's daughter, to the great satisfaction of her father. After
keeping the artist several years in his service, the emperor finally
sent him away, with many rich gifts; and he returned to Castile with
considerable wealth. The Academy of San Ferdinando possesses a fine work
by him, representing the Virgin and Infant seated in the clouds.