That touchstone of solo portrait photography: has the sitter 'defeated' the camera, or has he or she been defeated by it? Here one sees, in my view, a clear-cut example of the former. The dress is fine and ferocious, and the quite luxuriant curls piled up likewise, but best of all, the wry/sly expression: one of watchful, yet utter, equanimity. Victory.
An RPPC, of course, and one in charmingly good condition. The woman's desire to connect with us emotionally is palpable across, what? 120 or 130 years?