The art restorer Henriette Frey moves from Vienna to Krems to live with her friend, the musician Ferdinand Sternheim. At a vernissage, Ferdinand introduces her to the gallery owner Hartmut Ille, who proudly presents the up-and-coming painter and new star in the art firmament Hubertus Krajczik. But Krajczik's up-and-coming career soon comes to an abrupt end.