Three women gather around a basket at the centre of the scene, their bodies arranged in a graceful arc that draws attention to the discovery unfolding before them. The woman on the left stands upright, her gaze fixed on the contents of the basket, while she holds a blue drapery that falls behind her, setting her apart from the others. At the centre, a second woman bends forward, her face turned outward as she lifts the lid of the basket to reveal a small child nestled inside, his form wrapped in white cloths.

To the right, a third woman, seen from behind, leans in with one foot raised on the step, her light hair and flowing drapery catching the light as she peers into the basket with curiosity and surprise. A small white dog stands at the feet of the rightmost woman, its attention also directed toward the basket, while a greyhound-like animal appears at the far left, drinking from a pool at the edge of the composition. Behind the figures, a monumental fountain with a sculpted female figure in relief rises in shadow, its swirling forms echoing the movement of the draperies and adding a sense of grandeur to the setting.

The background is loosely painted with patches of green and ochre, suggesting foliage and stone architecture, while the foreground steps and balustrade are rendered with smooth, luminous brushwork. Light falls from the left, illuminating the women's bodies and casting gentle shadows that model their forms, while the palette is dominated by creamy flesh tones, soft golds, and cool blues and greys. The paint surface reveals energetic, visible brushstrokes, especially in the drapery and background, lending a sense of immediacy and movement to the scene.

Small details, such as the delicate fingers lifting the basket's cover and the attentive posture of the animals, contribute to the narrative tension of the moment.