This work portrays Maria Billaut, with whom Kuroda had an affair during his stay at Grez-sur-Loing. As recommended by his teacher, Raphaël Collin, Kuroda submitted this painting to the Salon exhibition organized by the French Artists’ Association (Société des artistes français). The work was accepted, which marked Kuroda’s debut in the art world. （黒田記念館特別室解説パネル）"