1642. ­The Dutch Golden Age is underway, with Amsterdam at the height of its powers. Geertje, an impoverished widow from Edam, enters a melting pot of wealth and culture when she becomes nursemaid in the house of renowned painter Rembrandt.

After Rembrandt's wife dies, Geertje is drawn deeper into his world and despite her friends' warnings, she begins a passionate affair with the master of light and shadow, with devastating results.