The Marble Faun Chapter V - Miriam's Studio

In which the young Donatello ascends the ancient staircase of a venerable Roman palace to visit the artist Miriam in her dusky studio, where shadows and light converse in painterly whispers and her sketches reveal the tender and turbulent workings of a woman’s heart. There, amidst her varied portrayals of love, sorrow, and rejoicing, Miriam unveils a haunting self-portrait that captivates Donatello’s simple, sprite-like spirit with its solemn beauty and unspoken depths.