Portrait of a lady 

This oil painting by Józef Simmler, a Polish artist active in the mid-19th century, features a woman in a simple black dress. The subject's gaze is directed towards the viewer, creating an intimate connection. The use of a dark background, common in portraiture of the time, draws attention to the subject, enhancing the sense of realism and individuality. The painting exemplifies the prevailing 19th-century style of portraiture, capturing a moment in time for posterity.