Italy, late 15th century. Isabella d'Este, daughter of the Duke of Ferrara, a luxurious blonde with black eyes, never envied her younger sister, the modest and naive Beatrice. However, Beatrice's engagement to Lodovico Sforza, the future Duke of Milan, changed everything. Lodovico is twice the age of his intended, lives openly with his mistress and enjoys a reputation as an insidious and ambitious ruler. But Isabella feels a kindred spirit in him: they are equal in intelligence and have the same passion for manifestations of beauty in life and art. And although Isabella is married to the Marquis of Mantua, she vows to change her fate. She plans to seduce Lodovico and, together with him, become the arbiter of the destinies of all of Italy. And she also passionately desires that the great Leonardo da Vinci paint her portrait and capture her image for eternity. However, the intrigues of the rulers of Italy confuse all her plans.