Manette Salomon

Manette Salomon, a Jewish model and the mistress of Naz de Coriolis, captivates with her straightforward, unrefined nature and distinctive exotic Jewish heritage. Initially, her characteristics bring delight to her lover, Naz, but as she garners fame as the muse of one of his successful paintings, she undergoes a transformation fueled by pride. Mistaken frequently for Coriolis’ wife, she finds herself drawn to this elevated status. Her ambitions intensify when she becomes a mother, allowing her greed for success to surface. Over time, she gains dominion over Naz, and upon their marriage, her fulfilled ambitions lead to the inevitable decline of his artistic creativity.

Naz de Coriolis

Naz de Coriolis is a young painter who ardently believes that marriage and fatherhood are detrimental to an artist’s creativity. He is enamored with Manette Salomon’s flawless beauty and exotic Jewish background and invites her to be both his model and mistress. Yet, as Manette’s pride and ambition are kindled by her newfound fame and maternal status, Naz finds himself lacking the resolve to resist her growing influence. This dominance results in a suffocation of his creative spirit, illustrating his fear that personal commitments can indeed drain artistic vitality.

Anatole Bazoche

Anatole Bazoche is a fellow painter and was once a close confidant of Naz de Coriolis. However, the influence of Manette causes a rift between them. Anatole embodies the true spirit of bohemian life; he never achieves mainstream success but relishes his unencumbered freedom, remaining unaltered in his artistic pursuits.

Chassagnol

Chassagnol, another painter in Naz de Coriolis’ circle, finds himself distanced from Naz due to Manette’s influence. This estrangement reflects the broader impact of Manette’s presence on those connected to Naz, further highlighting her role in reshaping his personal and professional relationships.

Garnotelle

Garnotelle is a painter of mediocre talent yet notable success. Manette urges Naz de Coriolis to emulate Garnotelle, seeing in him a model of the success she craves. This insistence on modeling after Garnotelle underscores Manette’s ambition and her tendency to prioritize fame over artistic integrity.

Crescent

Crescent is a fellow painter who, along with his wife, Mme Crescent, initially extends friendship to Manette. However, this cordial relationship cools significantly once they become aware of Manette’s Jewish heritage, illustrating the societal prejudices of the time and the impact of identity on personal relationships.

Mme Crescent

Mme Crescent, the wife of Crescent, shares in the initial warmth towards Manette but similarly withdraws upon discovering Manette's Jewish background. This change in attitude not only reveals the Crescents’ prejudices but also reflects the broader social challenges Manette faces, adding another layer of complexity to her character and her interactions with those around her.