A solitary woman dressed in a dark, almost black gown and veil leans against a large, earthen mound that dominates the right half of the painting. Her left arm is bent, with her head resting thoughtfully on her hand, while her gaze meets the viewer with a somber, reflective expression. The fabric of her dress and veil is rendered with loose, expressive brushwork, creating a sense of weight and depth, while her pale face and hand are illuminated by a soft, yellowish light that stands out against the muted background.

Behind her, a row of small, wrought iron rails sits atop the mound, their forms painted in a sketchy, almost ghostly manner, suggesting a boundary or enclosure. The background is filled with swirling greys and ochres, opening to a patch of blue and white sky at the upper right, which contrasts with the darkness below and hints at an outside world beyond the immediate scene. The surface of the painting shows visible texture, with areas of thick, blended pigment and others where the brushstrokes are rough and spontaneous, especially in the depiction of the mound and the woman's dress.

The composition places the figure to the left, her form merging with the shadowy earth, while the railing and sky create a horizontal band that divides the space and draws attention to her isolation. Small details, such as the delicate highlights on her forehead and the subtle modeling of her hand, add a sense of intimacy and realism to her otherwise mournful pose. The setting and mood evoke a funereal atmosphere, with the dark clothing, the mound with iron rails, and the subdued palette reinforcing themes of melancholy and contemplation. The painting's quiet, sorrowful air distinguishes it from other works in the Black Paintings series, which often feature more violent or nightmarish scenes.