Gertrude Agnew sits in an 18th-century French Bergère, her body turned slightly to the side while her gaze meets the viewer directly. Her white gown spreads across the chair and foreground, its voluminous folds rendered with loose, fluid brushstrokes that catch the light and create a sense of airy softness. Her dark hair is swept up, framing her pale face and drawing attention to her appraising expression and half-smile, which suggest a quiet confidence.

A pendant necklace hangs at her throat, its chain catching the light against the sheer fabric of her dress. The light falls from the left, illuminating her face, the folds of her dress, and the floral patterns on the chair, while casting gentle shadows that model her features and the contours of the fabric. The composition is arranged to emphasize Lady Agnew’s languid pose, with the curving back of the chair enclosing her figure and enhancing the sense of elegance and repose.

Brushwork is visible throughout, especially in the treatment of the dress and background, where swift, confident strokes convey both texture and atmosphere. A pale lavender sash is tied around her waist, its long ends draping over her lap and down the front of her dress. The background features a blue wall with a subtle pattern of gold and cream motifs, including vertical lines and stylized floral forms.

The upper left corner of the painting contains a faint signature in dark paint. The floral upholstery of the chair includes red, blue, and lavender flowers with green leaves, rendered in loose, impressionistic strokes. Her right hand rests lightly on the armrest, while her left hand is placed in her lap, holding a white handkerchief.

The lower left corner of the painting shows the shadowed edge of the chair and part of the floor, painted in cool gray tones. The light on her face creates a gentle highlight on her forehead, nose, and the top of her cheekbones, while her neck and the right side of her face are softly shadowed. The edges of the painting are loosely defined, with the background blending into the figure and chair, especially along the right and lower sides.

The blue wall behind her is painted with broad, sweeping strokes, giving a sense of depth and airiness to the composition.