A Feigned Retreat 

Mary Jane Ansell's "A Feigned Retreat" depicts a woman with delicate features, dressed in a white blouse and a military-style cap, the red band of which suggests a sense of power and authority. The woman's posture, with her hand resting on her chin, conveys a thoughtful, almost contemplative mood. The artist's meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the rendering of the woman's skin and the folds of her blouse, creates a sense of realism. The overall effect is one of quiet strength and understated elegance, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of the woman's character and the meaning behind her "feigned retreat."