A plump white cat lies in a relaxed loaf on a small wrapped present, gazing out with large round dark eyes. Above it, dense fir boughs hang heavy with clusters of red berries and two round ornaments, while ribbon-tied gifts in floral, striped and patterned papers sit around it on an old woven rug.

The scene is painted in thick, buttery oil strokes with a soft antique patina. Warm lamplight lifts the cat's cream fur out of the deep forest-green shadows, and the palette stays muted and dusty, with berry red, slate blue and olive ochre. The mood is tender, nostalgic and quietly festive.