Josef Mánes (Petr Kostka) gets into a conflict with the director of the Academy of Fine Art, and is immediately thrown out of the school. But Josef is not downcast. He is young and believes in his talent. He is also in love with the maidservant Fanynka (Jana Svandová). Soon, however, reality catches up with him. Fanynka is expecting Josef's child, and his uncompromising sister Amalie (Jana Stepánková), who supports the whole family, sends the girl away. It is 1865 and the Prague Old Town Astronomical Clock is being reconstructed. Mánes wants to get the commission for the paintings on the clock face, but the city council offers the work to the painter Trenkwald, and it is only when Trenkwald refuses - because the fee is too small even to cover the costs - that Mánes gets his chance.