Comparison between models and observations of the total intensity images in the cnt820 filter. Upper panel: observed radial profile of the total intensity (full black line) compared to radial profiles derived from models convolved with the PSF-reference p Vir and considering uniform stellar discs with radii 1.86 au (long-dashed red line), 2.56 au (double-long-dashed purple line), 3.35 au (dotted green line), and 1.86 au surrounded by a dust envelope that is optically thick in the visible due to scattering extending out to 3.35 au (double-short-dashed brown line). The short-dashed blue line shows the radial profile obtained from a model with a uniform stellar disc with a radius of 3.35 au convolved with the PSF-reference HD 118877, observed following the observations of W Hya. Lower panel: comparison between the observed normalised total intensity (colour-scale image), the polarised intensity contours at 90, 70, 50, and 30% times the peak value (full cyan line), and the stellar disc with a radius of 3.35 au (dashed white line). The 50% levels of the images of the PSF-reference p Vir (white solid line) and of W Hya (dotted black line) are shown for reference.