Emsley is an ambitious auctioneer living in Los Angeles who manages celebrity charity events. She faces serious professional challenges when her ex-boyfriend and friend, both partners in her business, decide to dissolve the company. Seeking comfort and direction, she begins reading a Dutch diary her grandmother gives her to uncover hidden family history. Her determination to save her business runs parallel to her investigation into her grandmother's past.

Johanna is a middle-class Dutch woman in her twenties living in the late 19th century. Dissatisfied with traditional domestic expectations, she seeks a life of purpose and initially attempts a career teaching English. Her cautious but evolving romance with an art dealer introduces her to the volatile Parisian art world.

Theo is a kind and dedicated art dealer living in Paris. He works tirelessly to support and promote his older brother's artwork despite a lack of public interest. His deep affection for Johanna grounds him, even as the stress of his brother's condition takes a heavy emotional toll.

Violet is a famed New York painter and former socialite who defied the male-dominated art world of the 20th century. Living in an assisted care facility, she entrusts Emsley with a cryptic diary and antique letters but refuses to reveal the identity of Emsley's grandfather. She is generous with her wealth, frequently acting as a patron for marginalized women artists.

Vincent is an impoverished but prolific artist entirely dependent on his brother for financial and emotional support. He creates groundbreaking artwork that goes largely ignored by the contemporary art establishment. He experiences severe mental health crises that frequently require hospitalization.

Bram is a junior partner at his grandfather's law firm. He steps in to handle Violet's legal affairs and quickly becomes an essential ally to Emsley as she cleans out the house. He offers both legal advice for her business troubles and personal support.

Trey is Emsley's ex-boyfriend and a partner in their Los Angeles auction business. Following their breakup, he attempts to pivot the business toward political polling and demands an exorbitant sum to let Emsley keep the company intact.

Diya is Emsley's friend and the third partner in their auction house. She creates a major conflict by dating Trey after his breakup with Emsley and selling her business shares directly to him.

Anna is Emsley's mother and Violet's daughter. She values appearances and frequently criticizes Emsley's career ambitions, preferring her daughter rely on relationships for stability. She resents her mother's eccentric lifestyle and decision to leave money to charities.

Bram Sr. is Violet's longtime estate attorney and a friend who has known her since her youth as a New York socialite. He holds the key to uncovering the traumatic events of Violet's past that she kept hidden from her family.

Strena is a conceptual performance artist who uses Violet's home as a workspace. She helps Emsley translate the Dutch letters and introduces her to deeper interpretations of Violet's artwork.

Taylor is a wealthy, powerful politician connected to Violet's early adulthood in New York. Emsley discovers his identity while digging into her grandmother's past and notes his stately public image.

Dries works in the Parisian art world and initially introduces Theo to his sister. He becomes highly protective of Johanna, actively discouraging her relationship with Theo out of fear regarding Vincent's mental illness.

Anna is Johanna's closest friend in the Netherlands. She encourages Johanna to pursue a relationship with Theo and provides a reliable sounding board for Johanna's anxieties about marriage.

Sergei is Bram's cousin and an antiques dealer. He evaluates the eclectic items Violet collected over her lifetime and encourages the budding romance between Bram and Emsley.

Jan is an artist and Anna's husband. He connects Johanna with important figures in the Dutch art world and writes letters of recommendation to help her secure gallery space.

Wil is the infant son of Johanna and Theo, named after his uncle Vincent. He represents the future of the van Gogh legacy and anchors Johanna's determination to succeed in the art world.

Janus is a local Dutch carpenter whom Johanna hires to help prepare Vincent's art. He is friendly and supportive of her ambitious goals, occasionally sharing walks and conversations with her.

Clara is a Dutch immigrant to the United States and the recipient of the historical diary and correspondence. As Violet's grandmother and Johanna's niece, she serves as the genealogical link between the two timelines.

Beatriz is the real estate agent managing the sale of Violet's New York home. She handles the fluctuating buyer offers and communicates strict legal requirements regarding Emsley's inheritance of the property.