Queen Mary is depicted at three-quarter length, holding a fan in her right hand; she wears a figured blue silk dress over a pearl grey bodice, Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, earrings and choker, pearl necklaces, bracelets, and star of the Garter. An armchair and green Sèvres vase (possibly RCIN 2295) on pedestal appear in the background on the left.

Queen Mary recorded a number of sittings to Nowell in March 1927, the last one taking place on Friday 25 March: 'I gave my last sitting to Mr Nowell today. I think the picture is very good – when it is quite finished Mr N. will send it here for our final approval'. On 23 July, 1927 the painting was hung at Windsor in the Lancaster Tower Sitting Room. There was some question as to whether the painting should be exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1928, however Queen Mary insisted: 'I should like the picture to be exhibited I gave him a lot of sittings & took a lot of trouble over the picture & I think it is very like'.

This painting is more informal than the full-length portrait by Richard Jack (1866-1952), completed in the same year (RCIN 404548). However, like the earlier portrait by Sir William Llewellyn (RCIN 402024), the inclusion of a vase in the background emphasises Queen Mary's interest in collecting and the decorative arts. The Royal Collection also holds a head and shoulders version of this painting by Nowell (RCIN 407253) and a portrait of King George V (1865-1936) in morning dress (RCIN 405251).

This image was published in the Illustrated London News on 21 November 1927.