The artwork depicts a scene of profound sorrow and captivity. A woman cloaked in deep black stands as the central figure, her posture a testament to grief and despair. Surrounding her are other figures, their clothing in varying shades of ochre, red, and blue, drawing the eye across the composition. The architecture, with its classical lines and warm tones, suggests a setting in the ancient world, a timeless stage for human drama. The artist employs a masterful use of light and shadow to enhance the emotional depth of the scene, highlighting the woman's isolated figure against the backdrop of daily life, of women carrying water jugs.