Dante concealed his love for Beatrice by pretending to be attracted by other women. The scene shown here is that of Beatrice refusing to greet Dante because of the gossip that had reached her. Beatrice is the woman dressed in white. The woman next to Beatrice is Monna Vanna (or Giovanna) a companion of Beatrice and the mistress of Dante's friend Guido Cavalcanti. In the painting the stern almost statuesque expression of Beatrice contrasts with the posture of Monna Vanna who not only appears to support Beatrice's decision but looks back to Dante's reaction.
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