This portrait by Laura Muntz Lyall presents a softly luminous and introspective depiction of a young woman, conveyed with the artist’s signature sensitivity and quiet emotional depth. The sitter gazes outward with a gentle, contemplative expression, her soft features bathed in diffused light that imparts a tender, ethereal quality to her presence.

Muntz Lyall dresses her subject in a flowing, deep wine-coloured robe layered over a pale blouse, the fabric handled with broad, expressive strokes that subtly catch purples, mauves, and earthy undertones. Her hands rest delicately in her lap, reinforcing a composed and serene poise. The dark, smoky background dissolves into atmospheric shadow, creating a velvety contrast that draws the viewer’s attention toward the sitter’s illuminated face and upper form.

True to Laura Muntz Lyall’s hallmark approach—particularly in her portrayal of women—this work captures not only physical likeness but also an inner stillness: a sense of quiet dignity and reflective calm. The softness of edges, enveloping light, and emotional resonance combine to create a portrait both intimate and timeless, rooted in sympathy and subtlety rather than overt drama.