Holland in the seventeenth century: the Golden age. After the untimely death of her husband, artistic country girl Catrin keeps house for the wealthy Van Nulandt family in Amsterdam. She is dazzled by her new surroundings in the bustling metropolis, and seizes the opportunity to sit in on her mistress' painting lessons. This is the era of the famous Rembrandt van Rijn, the man who paints with light, and Amsterdam is the centre of the artworld.
But her past catches up with her and Catrin is forced to flee the city and make a new life in Delft, where she finds work as a painter in one of the potteries. At last her artistic talent is recognised and she plays a vital role in the creation of Delftware.
But Catrin's new-found happiness doesn't last long. Danger is never far away, and catrin discovers that secrets can e the most dangereous thing of all. Struggling to survive, she faces an impossible dilemma, wether to follow her heart or her head.