The Frame Narrator is an educated, likely middle- or upper-class man traveling through Italy who suffers from mysterious injuries. Hovering on the edge of delirium, he takes refuge in a remote turret room. He possesses an intellectual curiosity and a deep appreciation for art, which leads him to spend his night obsessively reading a small volume that details the histories of the paintings surrounding his bed.

The Painter is a wild, moody, and intense artist whose primary devotion is to his craft. He operates within the story-within-a-story read by the Frame Narrator. Totally consumed by his artistic vision, he decides to paint a portrait of his new bride. His obsessive focus on his work blinds him to the physical reality of the long, shadowy sittings.

The Painter's Wife is a radiant, humble, and obedient young woman who falls passionately in love with an intense artist. She possesses a natural joy and vitality, but views her husband's art as a rival for his affection. Despite her deep jealousy of his craft, she meekly agrees to sit for a portrait in a dark turret room, silently enduring the draining process simply to see him happy.

Pedro is a practical and fiercely loyal valet. Faced with his employer's severe injuries, he takes the initiative to break into a foreboding mountain chateau to ensure they have shelter for the night. He attends to the narrator's immediate needs, setting up the room by closing shutters and lighting a candelabrum.