A woman sits posed in three-quarter view, her upper body turned slightly to her left while her gaze meets the viewer directly. Her light-toned dress is composed of multiple layers of sheer, ruffled fabric that spill over her shoulders and arms, forming a wide neckline that exposes her neck and collarbone. A large, dark bow sits at the center of her chest, standing out against the paler tones of her gown.

Her right hand rests gently on her lap, with fingers softly extended over a cluster of flowers that are arranged along the lower edge of the composition. Her hair is parted at the center and styled in smooth waves, gathered behind her ears and decorated with additional blossoms. A large, translucent hat encircles the woman's head, its brim casting a soft shadow over her forehead and upper face.

Clusters of dark leaves and small blossoms are tucked behind her right shoulder, blending into the textured foliage of the background. The background is rendered in a dense, stippled pattern that creates a sense of depth and frames the figure without any discernible horizon line. The left edge of the image is dominated by a blurred, darkened area that contrasts with the more detailed rendering elsewhere.

Light falls most strongly on her chest and the upper folds of her dress, highlighting the intricate textures of the fabric. The background is densely textured with foliage, rendered in intricate patterns that contrast with the smooth modelling of her skin and the delicate detailing of her dress. Small details, such as the veins in the leaves and the layered petals of the flowers, are described with careful attention, contributing to the overall sense of refinement. The subject's expression is calm and composed, her lips closed and her eyes wide, lending her an air of dignity and poise. Franz Xaver Winterhalter is named as the artist of this work, and the title identifies the sitter as Empress Eugenie.