The artwork immediately draws the eye with its stark simplicity and potent symbolism. A woman, rendered in a style reminiscent of a self-portrait, stands centrally, seemingly the focus of the composition. The woman has been impaled by wooden skewers, her form is at once vulnerable and strong. The background is divided into a land and sea, split by the woman. A large, exposed heart lies on the land, bleeding profusely. The land itself is barren, suggesting a place of pain and desolation. Hanging above the woman are two dresses on hangers, connected by red strings. They’re reminiscent of outfits, one simple and practical, the other more ornate; they represent the artist's sense of self, split between two identities. The sky is filled with ominous clouds that serve to enhance the emotional weight of the scene. The work is rendered with a careful attention to detail and a distinctive use of color; the contrast between the red of the heart and the more subdued tones of the background is particularly striking. This use of color is not merely aesthetic, but contributes to the emotional core of the painting.