This painting is of a beautiful woman of color shown in profile, eyes closed and chin slightly lifted with an expression of serenity upon her face. Her over-sized gold earring reflects the soft glow of sunlight that she appears to be looking toward. The bold red background is striking and dominates the composition while creating a powerful contrast with the woman's skin tone. There is a strong emphasis on light and shadow in this piece, particularly on the woman's face, which gives the portrait a sense of depth and dimensionality. The painting style reflects a sense of realism with elements of expressionism, particularly in the treatment of the background and hair.