Here, Matisse has used line to contrast the body of his model with the shape of the upholstered chair on which she sits. He was very fond of posing his models seated in chairs, sometimes depicting the figure from the side. Occasionally, they were shown from the front, as in "The Blue Eyes" of the same period. The pose here provides a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as the model seems to be embracing herself while looking directly at the viewer.