English: The sitter is Marie-Louise-Renée née Delmas de Pont-Jest (1858–1902), an actress and sculptor, who was also one of Abbéma’s closest friends. Seated at a desk, she holds a letter written on a sheet of black-bordered mourning stationary, and seems to be penning a condolence note in response.

Abbema painted Pont-Jest several times and produced at least four likenesses of her. These include: a three-quarter length portrait in 1877 and an intimately scaled oval portrait in 1882, as well as two paintings shown at the Salon, Lilas blanc (1878), and Les Saisons (1882).

In June 1882, with Sarah Bernhardt acting as witness, Pont-Jest married the French actor Lucien Guitry. Before divorcing four years later, they had a son, Alexandre (Sacha) Guitry, who went on on to become an actor, dramatist, and director.