A seated woman dressed in deep black silk dominates the left side of the composition, her figure set against a backdrop of ochre drapery and classical stone architecture. Her face is pale and delicately modeled, framed by a crisp white lace ruff and a dark coiffure parted at the center. A heavy gold chain and a large cross hang across her bodice, their metallic sheen catching the light that falls from the left.

Her right hand rests gently on the arm of a red-upholstered chair, while her left extends toward a young girl standing at her side. The girl, positioned at the lower right, gazes outward with a slight, composed smile, her hands clasping the woman's fingers. She wears a shimmering white satin dress with voluminous sleeves, the fabric rendered with smooth, reflective brushwork that contrasts with the deep, matte folds of the woman’s gown.

A delicate red ribbon ties back the girl’s hair, and a subtle blush animates her cheeks. Behind them, the architecture is suggested with broad, soft strokes, while the drapery sweeps diagonally across the upper background, lending warmth and grandeur to the scene. The artist uses a restrained palette dominated by black, white, and gold, with flashes of red in the chair and the girl’s hair ribbon.

Fine details, such as the lace cuffs and the woman’s ring, are painted with precision, while broader areas like the skirts dissolve into velvety darkness. The composition balances the imposing presence of the mother with the tender gesture linking her to her daughter, emphasizing both status and intimacy. Portrait of a Lady with her Daughter is painted by Anthony van Dyck in 1632. The painting is included in the collection described in 'De eeuw van Rubens' (ISBN 2-908388-31-6).