This book brings together masterpieces from the collections of the Mauritshuis and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. Twenty-five paintings from The Hague and twenty-five masterpieces from Madrid enter into dialogue, revealing the power and versatility of European painting.For this publication, twenty Spanish and Dutch writers were invited to respond to the works. From their own backgrounds and perspectives they wrote personal stories and reflections around one universal theme: love. Love between people, love of nature and love of art. Love can connect, move and comfort, but it can also reveal longing, loss and vulnerability. The selected paintings show this richness in a striking way. The result is a book that not only unites artworks, but also stories, emotions and different ways of looking. Contributors include Karin Amatmoekrim, Hanna Bervoets, Gershwin Bonevacia, Sacha Bronwasser, Radna Fabias, Tobi Lakmaker and Antonio Muñoz Molina.