Boznańska was particularly fascinated by the atmospheric paintings of James Abbott McNeill Whistler and became familiarized with the artistic trends in Paris, which made her reject the traditions of the Munich School.

She decided to go against the popular conventions concerning child portraits in which children were often depicted wearing elegant and fancy outfits in richly decorated interiors or with landscapes in the background.

According to Urszula Kozakowska-Zaucha the painting "creates the atmosphere of contemplation, sadness, mystery and understatement" which are reminiscent of the poems by Maurice Maeterlinck whom Boznańska held in high regard.

A sense of innocence of the child, her calm posture and delicate facial features are contrasted with the painting's aura of anxiety and melancholy.

The artist expressed the girl's mental state as well as the atmosphere of her surroundings in a subtle way, which reveals her keen interest in the new ideological trends in literature and art of the period.