The famous painter Akhtyrin is working on a painting for which his friend Nina, an artist’s model, is posing. At the exhibition, the painting attracts widespread public attention. Following this brilliant success, the landowner Volotsky comes to see Akhtyrin and asks him to paint a portrait of his young daughter. The sittings begin, and Elena, Volotsky’s daughter, patiently poses for the celebrated painter. Akhtyrin becomes infatuated with his new model, and she, in turn, is not indifferent to him. His friend Nina notices this passion and begins to grow jealous. When the painter Litvinov comes by while Akhtyrin is away, Nina complains to him about her difficult situation. Litvinov comforts her and confesses his feelings for her.
Meanwhile, the landowner Volotsky’s financial affairs have deteriorated badly, and he is becoming increasingly ruined.
The unfortunate Elena, in order to save her father and earn enough to live on, resolves to become a courtesan. She makes the acquaintance of Madame Aline, who has long run a fashionable dressmaking establishment and who, like many such proprietresses, knows how to attract wealthy young men and beautiful young women. She helps to bring them together, while naturally not forgetting her own profit.
Akhtyrin, having lost sight of Elena and having grown almost completely indifferent to Nina, begins associating with young people who spend their time drinking and making merry. Through Madame Aline he learns that a new little star has recently appeared on the scene, and Aline undertakes to introduce him to her.
When he arrives at the establishment at the appointed hour, he finds the new beauty there and recognizes in her his former love, Elena Volotskaya. He is horrified and at first wants to kill her, but then, coming to his senses, flees from her.
Returning home, he feels that life, with all its pleasures, wealth and fame, has completely lost all meaning for him. Nina tries in vain to calm him; he does not even tell her the reason for his despair. After sending her to the pharmacy to fetch some medicine, he takes advantage of her absence and ends his life with a shot from his revolver.
When Nina returns to the studio, she collapses over his lifeless body.
