With this portrait of Montreal dancer Louise McLea, Heward positions herself as a modern artist depicting modern subjects. McLea is seated in a country landscape, her hairstyle and loose-fitting dress reflect the liberated fashions of the time. Modern dancers commonly dance barefoot, and McLea’s feet are visible in the foreground, their dirty soles adding a touch of realism to the work. Her reddened cheeks and nose suggest physical exertion, as though she has stopped to rest after a performance.