Miriam is a talented and beautiful painter living in a Renaissance palazzo in Rome. Her nationality and background are a subject of much speculation, with rumors suggesting she might be a German princess or the heiress of a Jewish banker. She possesses an outgoing personality but harbors a deep melancholy regarding her past. She finds solace and artistic inspiration in the company of her fellow expatriate artists.

Hilda is a skilled American artist who specializes in making accurate copies of Great Master paintings. She lives in a shabby Roman palace surmounted by a tower, where she tends a centuries-old shrine to the Virgin Mary. As a descendant of New England Puritans, she possesses a pure and somewhat sheltered disposition. She dresses in white and often surrounds herself with the doves that flock to her home.

Kenyon is a highly intellectual and well-read American sculptor living and working in Italy. He possesses a friendly personality and frequently offers philosophical observations about the artwork and history surrounding them. He cares deeply for his tight-knit group of friends and acts as a stabilizing presence during their emotional struggles.

Donatello is a cheerful young Italian nobleman from Tuscany who joins the circle of American artists in Rome. He exhibits a simple and joyous nature that deeply aligns with the natural world. His friends affectionately nickname him the "faun" due to his physical agility and lack of worldly burden. He is passionately infatuated with Miriam Schaefer, following her with intense devotion.

Brother Antonio is a monk affiliated with the Capuchin order in Rome. He wears traditional heavy robes and a hood that obscure his features. He haunts the city's ancient religious sites, representing the heavy historical and religious atmosphere of the Italian capital.

Tomaso is the loyal butler serving at Monte Beni, the ancestral Tuscan estate of Donatello's family. He maintains the property's long-standing traditions, including the secret production of a legendary local wine called Sunshine. He possesses an extensive knowledge of the family's ancient lineage.

Luca Barboni is an official working for the Vatican in Rome. He resides at the Palazzo Cenci and maintains connections to the local expatriate community. He serves as a potential benefactor for those requiring assistance from the papal government.