This delicate profile portrait captures a woman wearing a simple yet elegant cloche hat, her head tilted slightly upward with a soft, contemplative expression. Executed mostly in black and red pencil, the sketch’s lines are both spontaneous and meticulously placed, suggesting the texture of her short, curled hair and the fabric of her hat with minimal yet evocative strokes. The artist’s emphasis on light and shadow through hatching behind her head lends the figure depth and presence, gently isolating her from the bare background. The subtle blush of red on the lips and faint reddish details in the hair add warmth to the otherwise monochromatic piece, evoking an intimate, quiet moment frozen in time.

The composition is balanced and refined, with the upper torso and face rendered in greater detail while the sketchy outline of the hands and garment hints at the form without overwhelming it. This economy of line, combined with the careful use of negative space, guides the viewer’s eye fluidly around the portrait, emphasizing the softness of her profile and the delicate grace of her hands. Historically, this style reflects the late 19th to early 20th-century penchant for capturing fleeting, candid glimpses of women’s elegance and poise—a hallmark of the artist’s ability to blend Impressionist sensitivity with classical draftsmanship. Emotionally, there is a wistful serenity here, a whispered story or daydream suggested by the woman’s sideways glance and gentle expression, inviting us to imagine the quiet thoughts behind the subtle smile.