The Portrait of a Lady, a lucid tragedy that examines the gap between wealth and happiness, is often recognised as Henry James's best work. It is anticipated that Isabel Archer, a stunning and vivacious American, would get married soon when her affluent Aunt Touchett brings her to Europe. Nonetheless, Isabel does not hesitate to decline two suitable suitors because she is determined to take advantage of the independence that her riches has provided and to control her own destiny. She then feels an overwhelming attraction to Gilbert Osmond. Osmond, who is charming and refined, views Isabel as a valuable gift just waiting to be claimed. Isabel finds brutality and a constricted darkness lurking beneath his outward display of civilised demeanour. Henry James depicts a "young woman affronting her destiny" in this painting.