Their Catholic Majesties in a Spanish-Flemish painting of the 15th Century now in the Prado Museum in Madrid.

There were many in Spain, Castilians and Catalans, as well as Genoese and Florentines living in Andalusia, who supported Columbus's project and thesis. It was especially their Catholic Majesties, Ferdinand of Aragón and Isabella of Castile, who understood the great project of the Genoese, and supported him, organizing the exceptional enterprise. Also of particular importance were Friar Antonio Marchena and Martín Alonso Pinzón. The former realized the genius of the Genoese sailor from their first encounter (in 1485), shared the boldness of his project, and helped him together with the other Franciscan, Friar Juan Pérez, with undying enthusiasm, with the King, the Court, and all men of culture.