Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the country in which this novel is set. The year is 1636.

House on the Herengracht

This house on the Herengracht is the house in which Sophia lives with Cornelis. A good deal of the action of the novel takes place in this house. It is where the couple sits to have their portrait painted. It is also where Maria and Sophia pull off their deception with the baby. When Cornelis goes to the East Indies to look for Sophia, he leaves the house to the baby Sophia, Maria, and Willem. Ironically, Maria had many dreams in which she imagined that she and Willem would live in that house with their children after Cornelius and Sophia were carried away by water.

Jan’s Studio

Jan’s studio is the place where Jan and Sophia have their affair. It is also at this studio that Willem believes that...