Miriam Schaefer
Miriam is a mysterious artist who arrives in Rome from nobody knows where and with little background information. She does share a secret with fellow artist Donatello. She also seems to be the victim of a stalker (who she terms her “evil genius) who lurks in the shadows, but is also see in plain sight. She is the darkness of Cleopatra to the light of Hilda.
Hilda
Hilda stands in contrast and opposition to Miriam. She copies famous paintings and is know as The Dove because the place she lives is a tower always surrounded by the birds. In fact, her abode is known by other artists as the Dovecote. She is symbolic of purity and virginity, hails from New England and is an art student in Rome.
Donatello
Miriam’s constant comparison and partner-in-crime in more than symbolic ways He is Count of Monte Beni, is the Adam to Miriam’s Eve and has one striking physical peculiarity. He bears an uncanny resemblance to the figure in the sculpture which gives the novel its title.
Kenyon
An American sculptor who is friends with Miriam. He is the novel’s figure grounded in rationalism against the excessive romanticism of the other artists. When Hilda is essentially taken hostage in order to ensure that the great secret shared by Miriam and Donatello never gets out, Kenyon becomes devoted to finding her. His search brings him face to face with the necessity to redeem himself and in the reunification with Hilda is also found the destruction of Miriam and Donatello.
Brother Antonio
Antonio is familiar with Miriam’s past. He follows her to Rome and becomes a model for painting. He is also the “evil genius” who stalks her. In a collision between the infamy of Miriam’s mysterious past and the infamy which is to come, Antonio is just one of the victims.
