La Belle Noiseuse

An aging, reclusive painter who has been inactive for years. He lives in the grand château and relentlessly pursues the perfect portrayal of Marianne, progressing from pen-and-wash studies to oils on canvas. His fixation deepens as he overpaints Liz, and in the end, he hides the final, overpowering image behind bricks, continuing to work on an innocuous version. His silence and precision mask a volatile emotional drive that governs the film's events.

A young, aspiring artist and partner of Nicolas who becomes Frenhofer's model. She enters the château with a mix of ambition and independence, navigating the shifting dynamics between herself, Nicolas, and the master. Her decision to continue modeling despite Nicolas's initial promise reveals her growing agency and desire to redefine her own artistic path.

Frenhofer's young wife and a central figure in the painter's overpainted vision. She reacts with anger and hurt upon discovering that Frenhofer has repurposed Liz in his work, exposing the emotional cost of art. Her presence embodies the tension between personal relationships and the artist's consuming obsession.

A young artist and Marianne's partner who supports the initial plan to involve Frenhofer. He agrees to the arrangement and becomes entangled in the evolving relationship dynamics. As Marianne grows more independent, Nicolas experiences the strain of a shifting bond and the unpredictable fallout of the artistic enterprise.

An art dealer who introduces Frenhofer to Marianne and believes she could complete the master’s long-abandoned work. He orchestrates the arrangement and later attends the celebratory party, acting as a catalyst who connects the different worlds of model, painter, and market. His role underscores the commercial and social pressures surrounding artistic creation.