The central subject of the artwork is a woman depicted in side profile, her gaze directed toward the right. She has flowing, vivid red hair adorned with small white flowers. Her skin is pale, and she rests her chin and cheek upon her folded arms. Below her shoulders, her torso is transformed into a shimmering, creature-like form covered in textured, overlapping scales that shift in color from gold to deep teal.
She is positioned in front of a dark, moody background of deep green and black water. The surface of the water is marked by long, horizontal reflections of glowing yellow moonlight, suggesting a night scene. The composition is intimate, focusing heavily on the subject's serene, contemplative expression and the intricate textures of her scale-covered body.
The style is painterly and expressive, characterized by rich, layered brushstrokes that give the scales and hair a sense of volume and movement. The color palette is dominated by the contrast between the fiery red hair and the cool, dark tones of the night water, punctuated by the bright, warm yellow light of the reflections. The overall mood is ethereal and slightly melancholic, evoking themes of fantasy, mythology, or maritime folklore.