A woman sits in three-quarter view, her body turned slightly to the right while her face looks directly outward, framed by a high, sheer lace ruff that encircles her neck. Her dark, voluminous gown dominates the lower half of the composition, its heavy fabric falling in deep folds and adorned with a line of gold buttons running from the bodice to the hem. Both sleeves end in wide cuffs trimmed with delicate lace, and her right hand rests gently on the arm of a wooden chair, while her left hand is relaxed on her lap, holding a pale, feathery fan.

The background is a warm, brownish wall with subtle variations in tone, providing a muted contrast to the sitter’s pale face and the rich black of her dress. Soft, diffused light falls from the left, illuminating her face and hands, and casting gentle shadows that give a sense of depth to the figure and her surroundings. The sitter’s expression is calm and composed, her lips closed and her gaze steady, conveying a sense of dignity and self-possession.

The paint surface reveals fine, controlled brushwork in the rendering of the lace and the sitter’s features, while broader, more textured strokes shape the folds of the gown and the shadowed background. The composition is carefully balanced, with the figure placed slightly off-center, her dark dress anchoring the lower part of the canvas and her face emerging as the focal point against the lighter background. Details such as the gold chain draped across her chest and the subtle highlights on the fabric add to the sense of luxury and refinement. The subject of this portrait is Polissena Spinola, marquesa de Leganés, as identified in the title and collection records.