The painting of Zia (Aunt) Theresa depicts a young woman with her two daughters visiting her sister, the children's aunt, who is a nun. Their costume style is reminiscent of the Italian early sixteenth century. The hour glass in the right corner, alongside a rosary and a book, suggests that time is running out – both for the visit and for the decision Zia Theresa has to make between the cloistered, contemplative life and that of the outside world. On the right a nun is closing a door and on the left another nun is walking away from the viewer towards the cloisters, reinforcing this idea. The painting behind the group of figures is of Christ with Martha and Mary, the two sisters in the Bible who represented the active and the contemplative life. The posy of flowers held by the younger child contrasts with the rosary and prayer book held by her aunt, echoing the same theme.

The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1846, and the artist, Sir Charles Eastlake, described how he had sat up all night and painted for 19 hours in order to get the painting finished by 23 December.

Inscribed on the back of the lining canvas with the title, the name of the artist and the date, 1844.