Skin

“He was cold and miserable, huddled up like a hedgehog in a filthy black coat, only his eyes and the top of his head visible above the turned-up collar.”

The first description of Drioli reveals his status as an outsider. Dirty and run-down, he is physically off-putting. He attempts to hide himself, both from the elements and his surroundings, by huddling up and guarding himself, as the simile suggests. He has been hardened by the world, and now he presents a hardened exterior to the world.

“He had always liked picture galleries.”

This quote marks the true beginning of the story. The reference to the gallery links Drioli to his past, evoking memories of Chaim Soutine and setting up the main conflict. Not only does Drioli like picture galleries, but he has become one.

“It was a landscape, a clump of trees leaning madly over to one side as if blown by a tremendous wind, the sky swirling and twisting all around.”

Drioli looks twice at this painting because he believes he has seen it before. He and the artist shared the view of the landscape before the war. Though Drioli is about to be ridiculed for entering the gallery, he possesses valuable insights and background knowledge related to this work.