A woman stands against a dark, undefined background, her body turned slightly to the left while her gaze drifts away from the viewer, lending an air of introspection to her expression. She wears a broad, white lace collar that spreads over her shoulders, its intricate pattern rendered with delicate, textured brushwork that contrasts with the deep black of her dress. A large, ornate bow with a jeweled clasp sits at her throat, and heavy gold earrings frame her face, their details picked out with touches of light.

Her sleeves end in wide, white cuffs, edged with lace, and her hands, adorned with gold bracelets and a ring, rest one atop the other at her waist. In her right hand, she holds a white ostrich-feather fan, its soft plumes painted with feathery strokes that catch the light and create a sense of movement and luxury. The background is a deep, warm brown, painted with broad, smooth strokes that recede into shadow, focusing all attention on the sitter and her richly detailed attire.

The composition is carefully balanced, with the woman's figure filling the lower half of the canvas and her face positioned just off center, drawing attention to her thoughtful expression and the luminous textures of her clothing and jewelry. The brushwork varies from the crisp, linear treatment of the lace to the looser, more expressive handling of the background and the soft modeling of the woman's features. Touches of gold in her jewelry and the subtle sheen of her dress add to the sense of opulence and refinement. Portrait of a Woman with an Ostrich-Feather Fan is painted by Rembrandt in 1656.