Portrait of a Lady on Fire

First, my contours.

The outline.

Not too fast.

Take time to look at me.

See how my arms are placed.

My hands.

Who brought that painting out?

From the stock. I shouldn't have?

No.

Did you paint it?

Yes.

A long time ago.

What's the title?

Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

Where do I go?

Head straight up to the trees.

I'm Marianne.

It was a reception room.

I've never seen it used.

Have you been here long?

Three years.

Do you like it here?

Yes.

I'll let you get dry.

Sorry, I helped myself.

I was hungry.

Is there any wine?

Yes.

May I be curious?

What is your young mistress like?

I don't know her well.

You've been here three years.

She only arrived a few weeks ago.

Where from?

The Benedictines.

Has she left holy orders?

They brought her home.

Her sister died.

She was the only one due to marry?

Did disease take her?

No.

Will you manage it?

Manage what?

To paint her.

Why do you ask?

Another painter was here.

He wasn't able to.

What happened?

I don't know.

I'm afraid it's the only one.

She has no dresses yet and wears her convent clothes.

She has blond hair?

Yes.

This will do.

Do you recognize it?

My father painted it.

One of his first.

It was in Milan, before my marriage.

My daughter's suitor is Milanese.

We'll go there if he likes the portrait.

You'll leave.

I have to tell you...

She wore out one painter before you.

In a very simple manner: she refused to pose.

He never saw her face.

Why won't she be painted?

She refuses this marriage.

You must paint her without her knowing.

She thinks you're a companion for walks.

She's delighted.

Since she arrived, I don't let her out.

Why not?

I wasn't wary enough with her sister.

She thinks I'll watch over her.

And you, observe her.

Is painting her that way feasible?

More than being a companion.

The portrait arrived here before me.

When I first entered this room,

I found myself facing my image hanging on the wall.

She was waiting for me.

She's waiting to go out.

Come in.

Tell me, what happened to your mistress?

How did she die?

We were walking by the cliffs.

She was behind me and vanished.

I saw her broken body below.

Did you see her fall?

No.

I think she jumped.

Why do you think that?

She didn't cry out.

I've dreamt of that for years.

Dying?

Running.

One must show the ear and study its cartilage closely,

even if covered with hair.

It must be of a warm and transparent hue,

except for the hole, which is always strong.

Its tone, even in light, must yield to the cheek,

which is more prominent.

Did you bring a book?

Yes.

May I borrow it?

I'll fetch it.

Thank you.

It's odd you sleep here.

Miss...

Miss!

She's waiting.

Is she downstairs?

I must cover you up.

It's windy.

I'd like to bathe.

On a calmer day.

Yes.

How long will you stay?

Six more days.

Do you swim?

I don't know.

It's too dangerous if you don't.

I meant, I don't know if I can swim.

How was your day?

Difficult.

She always stays ahead of me

and walks alone on the beach.

Have you started painting?

Not yet.

I haven't even seen her smile.

Have you tried to be funny?

Is it unfinished?

My sister was embroidering it.

Do you think she wanted to die?

You're the first person unafraid to ask that.

Apart from you?

Not out loud. But yes.

In her last letter, she apologized.

For no reason.

What could she be apologizing for?

For leaving me her fate.

You make it sound terrible.

What do you know of my marriage?

You're to wed a Milanese gentleman, that's all.

That's all I know too.

You see why it worries me.

Put that way, yes.

I put it the way it is.

You'd rather have stayed in the convent?

It's a life that has advantages.

There's a library.

You can sing or hear music.

And equality is a pleasant feeling.

I found the convent unjust.

I left after my fist communion.

They punished me for drawing in my notebooks' margins.

You draw?

Yes. A little.

What about you? When will you marry?

I don't know if I will.

- You don't have to? - No.

I'll take over my father's business.

You can choose. That's why you don't understand me.

I understand you.

How are your days?

We return late and I have little light to work.

I'll keep her here tomorrow afternoon.

You'll be free to make progress.

Perhaps you could allow her to go out alone.

Fear not. She isn't sad, but angry.

You think I don't know her anger?

I know it well.

Yes, I know it too.

Where did you learn Italian?

In Milan.

You know Milan?

I can't wait to go back.

I haven't gone back in 20 years.

Tell her Milan is beautiful.

And that life will be sweeter.

She doesn't talk much to me.

I'm not marrying her to the local gentry.

I'm trying

to take her elsewhere.

She'll be less bored there.

And you too.

Indeed. Why not?

I'll leave for the coast at the same time as you.

If you don't have to return to Paris,

I have a friend who'd like her portrait done.

Thank you.

It won't be easy.

My friend is particularly ugly.

She's very ugly.

You've made me laugh.

It's ages since that happened.

I didn't do anything.

You're here.

It takes two to be funny.

Marianne?