A woman stands framed by a painted stone arch, her body turned slightly to the left while her gaze meets the viewer directly. Her right hand rests delicately on the ledge, while her left hand holds a closed fan of gold and brown tones, its ribs catching the light. She wears a black gown with voluminous sleeves, richly textured and trimmed with elaborate white lace at the cuffs.

A white fichu drapes over her shoulders, layered above a wide lace collar that falls in scalloped tiers, each edge meticulously rendered. The background is a deep, shadowy brown, with the archway casting subtle shadows that frame her figure and emphasize the play of light across her face and costume. Rembrandt’s brushwork is especially evident in the textures of lace and fabric, where fine strokes and thicker impasto create a vivid sense of material and depth.

The composition is carefully balanced, with the fan and her right hand forming a diagonal that leads the viewer’s eye across the surface. The sitter’s expression is calm and reserved, her features softly illuminated by a gentle, golden light that highlights the pink of her cheeks and the sheen of her pearls. A delicate string of pearls encircles her neck, with a larger, ornate pendant hanging at the center of her bodice.

Her earrings are gold and intricately shaped, catching the light against her hair. The painted stone arch is outlined with a thin, dark line that separates it from the shadowy background. Her hair is parted in the middle and falls in soft, frizzy waves to her shoulders, with a sheer lace cap just visible at the crown.

The lower left corner of the painting contains the artist’s signature and date, rendered in brownish script. Light falls most strongly on her face, hands, and the lace details, leaving the right side of her figure and the background in deeper shadow. The paint is applied with a combination of smooth blending on the skin and loose, textured strokes on the black fabric and lace, creating a tactile contrast.