This painting is a good example of Ricard Canals’ portraiture. It is executed with loose brushwork, probably influenced by the Impressionists he would have met while in Paris: Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) and Édouard Manet (1832-1883).

The artist elegantly plays with the palette of colours, daring to contrast complementary tones in the background —yellow and bluish violet— to define light and shadow. The saffron-like tone of the piece reminds us of the artist’s membership in La Colla del Safrà (Saffron group).

The model is dressed in popular costume, covered with a black mantilla that reveals the ruffled edge of her blouse, while her hair is gathered in a bun decorated with flowers and held with a comb.

The great visual wealth of this painting makes it a superb example of Canals’ mastery of portraiture.