No other illustrator of the Gilded Age captured the anxieties and aspirations of American women quite like Charles Dana Gibson. His so-called "Gibson Girl" became an icon, yet in She is disturbed by a vision which appears to be herself, Gibson turns his sharp eye inward, exploring the unsettling experience of self-recognition. The title itself hints at a psychological twist unusual for his typically confident heroines, and the work stands out among his oeuvre for its introspective mood.

The precise date and medium remain uncertain, adding a layer of mystery to its origins and inviting speculation about its place in Gibson's career. The scene unfolds at the very moment a young woman, elegantly attired, confronts her own reflection—though the vision she beholds is not entirely familiar. Her posture is tense, her gaze fixed with a mixture of surprise and unease, as if seeing herself for the first time or confronting an unexpected truth. The careful rendering of her expression, the subtle play of light across her features, and the ambiguous background all serve to heighten the psychological drama.

Unlike the assertive, socially assured women of Gibson's other works, this figure is caught in a private moment of doubt. In contrast to John Singer Sargent's portraits, which often celebrate outward poise, Gibson here probes the inner life, using minimal props and a spare setting to focus attention on the woman's emotional state. The physical history of She is disturbed by a vision which appears to be herself is largely undocumented, a not uncommon fate for works by illustrators whose drawings were often published, dispersed, or lost. It is likely that this piece first appeared in a periodical or as part of a published collection, as was typical for Gibson's output in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The lack of precise provenance has not diminished its impact; the image circulates widely in print and digital form, testament to the enduring fascination with Gibson's vision of modern womanhood. Today, it stands as a rare example of the artist's willingness to explore vulnerability, marking a subtle departure from the confident archetype he helped to define.