The watercolour Vanity by Mary Riter Hamilton is a delicate and ethereal portrayal of a woman in a moment of private reflection. The soft, muted palette of blues, greens, and ochres creates a dreamy, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The subject is seated, her body turned away from the viewer, facing a mirror that reflects her image back to her and to us, creating a sense of depth and introspection.

The artist's use of blurred lines and washes of colour suggests the fleeting nature of beauty and the ephemeral quality of the moment. The woman's posture is relaxed, and her attention is inward, focused on her own image in the act of contemplation or self-admiration, evoking the title Vanity. Her figure is rendered with a light touch, the contours of her dress and the chair blending into the background, emphasizing the transient light and shadow rather than concrete forms.

Hamilton's signature at the bottom right, along with the word "Paris," adds a personal touch and hints at the cultural center where this piece may have been created. This painting is a quiet study of solitude and the human condition, offering a window into a private world where a person confronts their own image with an intimate gaze.