Near the end of the middle ages, artists began portraying the human form in its true, splendid reality. Paintings were no longer depictions of stiff, saintly mannequins. Women were now considered human and worthy of being presented in art as they are: fragile, flawed, mysterious, and glorious. Bernard's superb image of Maila Nirmi not only reflects the mysteries and glories of the human face, he adds a hint of mischievous allure that fascinates in any age.