The Miniaturist

Nella runs to the Kalverstraat, looking for the miniaturist. She sees the sign has been removed at her premises, and the door stands open. Inside the workshop, Nella finds miniature furniture and hundreds of dolls representing the citizens of Amsterdam. One looks like Arnoud Maakvrede, and another is of a tiny baby. Nella takes the two dolls and a miniature version of her house. Among a stack of letters from women asking for clarification from the miniaturist, Nella finds her own, including the one she never sent requesting the verkeerspel board. All the letters are annotated with details of the senders’ lives.

Nella hides under the bed when a man enters the building and calls up the stairs. Seeing Nella’s feet, the old man urges her to come out, calling her Petronella. It is Lucas Windelbreke, and he explains he is looking for another Petronella—his daughter. He says Petronella lived with him in Bruges, as her mother’s family refused to have her. Although he has not seen Petronella for years, he recently received letters from her customers. The old man reveals that his daughter was always different. During her apprenticeship with him, she made clocks that reflected her customers’ souls instead of telling the time.