# XXVIII: The Painted Record explained — Romola

> Chapter companion for Romola by George Eliot.

## What happens

Romola visits Piero di Cosimo to check on the progress of her father's portrait, but discovers an oil-sketch of Tito with a prisoner that disturbs her. Despite her curiosity and growing unease, she refrains from questioning Tito, fearing the implications of the painting and the hidden truth it might reveal.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Deception

Piero's attempt to hide the sketch and Romola's internal conflict about questioning Tito highlight the theme of hidden truths and self-deception.

### Female Agency and Marriage

Romola's decision not to question Tito reflects the constraints of marriage and her struggle between loyalty and suspicion.

## Character check-ins

### Romola de' Bardi

Visits Piero to see her father's portrait, but is unsettled by the sketch of Tito and the prisoner, yet suppresses her suspicions.

### Piero di Cosimo

Shows Romola the unfinished portrait of Bardo, but accidentally reveals the sketch of Tito with the prisoner, which he tries to dismiss as a mere fancy.

### Tito Melema

Though not present, his image in Piero's sketch and the associated fear and armor weigh on Romola's mind.

### Bardo de' Bardi

His portrait as Oedipus is the reason for Romola's visit, symbolizing her devotion and the fading memory of her father.

### Maso

Accompanies Romola to Piero's house, carrying the basket of sweetmeats.

## Key lines

> But I know what the sweetmeats are for; they are to stop my mouth while you scold me.

Piero understands that Romola brought sweets to soften his reaction to her complaints about the unfinished portrait.

_Piero's playful acknowledgment of Romola's tactic to appease him._

> It's good, Madonna Antigone.

Piero compliments Romola by calling her Antigone, referencing her devotion to her blind father, Bardo.

_Piero's nickname for Romola, linking her to the mythological figure who guided her blind father._

> I should be sorry for her to guess that I thought her fine husband a good model for a coward.

Piero hopes Romola doesn't realize that he used Tito as a model for a cowardly figure in his sketch.

_Piero's private thought reveals his negative opinion of Tito, which he hides from Romola._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxviii-the-painted-record
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters