The image shows three characters, focusing on their upper bodies. The central figure is a child who is sitting. The child displays an exaggerated facial expression with wide-open mouth and squinted eyes. Their hair is short and appears tousled. On either side of the child are two adult women, dressed in 19th-century style clothing, including caps and bonnets with full, gathered sleeves. These women lean in closely to the child; one appears to be assisting with the child's discomfort by pinching the child's nose, while the other supports the child’s head and neck. The graphite lines of the illustration create a dramatic, shadowy background that focuses attention on the characters’ expressions. The background is relatively sparse.