The painting, in symbolist style, shows a mermaid with red hair. From the navel to the head she has a female body, and has the tail of a fish. She is looking towards the horizon where some cliffs can be seen. Next to the mermaid are shown pearls and a giant shell where iridescent colors can be seen. A comb made from a shell is shown, which the mermaid uses to comb her beautiful hair. She looks expectantly to her left side, if any sailor comes, enchanted by her beauty. Loose brushstrokes are shown on the cliffs, the sea and the islet.