A seated woman in a black dress with a large white ruff collar holds gloves, looking forward
The painting depicts a seated woman in a three-quarter length portrait against a a dark, plain background. She is positioned slightly to the right of the center, facing forward with her head turned towards the viewer. Her skin is fair, and her face is oval-shaped with light pink cheeks and lips, and dark eyes. She wears a light-colored cap that covers her hair, and a large, pleated white ruff collar frames her neck. Her attire consists of a dark, long-sleeved dress, with white cuffs visible at her wrists. Her left hand, positioned in the lower left quadrant, holds a pair of light-colored gloves. Her right hand rests gently on a small, dark book with a gold clasp, which is placed on a table to her right. The table is covered with a rich, dark red tablecloth featuring an intricate, lighter red patterned design. To the far right on the table, a small, ornate object with blue and gold elements is visible. Behind the woman, a dark chair with a visible backrest is partially seen. The overall color palette is dominated by dark browns and blacks, contrasting with the white of her collar and cuffs, the red of the tablecloth, and her lighter skin tones. In the bottom left corner, a faint signature "F. Hals" is visible.