Chapter Thirty-Four
GRIETE HOUSE, ANTWERP, 1629
The next day, the weather closed in with a blustering wind and waves of rain hitting the windows. Judith was unwell with a slight fever and Constanza spent the day with her in her chamber. Clara worked on her self-portrait, staring into the mirror until she barely recognised herself. Who was this haunted woman dressed like a princess?
She put down her brush and closed her eyes, allowing her mind to wonder along the timeline of her predicament. Did it start from the moment she accepted Fabritius’s patronage? Or when she had concealed the skull in his painting? She pictured the splash of light where she had placed herself holding it, full of hatred.
Clara moved to her box and rummaged until she found a small panel and taking down her self-p
