What a marvellous, complicated situation here. I am ignorant of the history so forgive me if I am off base. Looking at what is on the canvas, I see a woman not looking in the face of the man she wishes to keep by her side. What would make a woman not use the power of her gaze? imho, she either feels guilt or knows more than he does about his predicament. Is she so convinced of tragedy that she can’t bear to give him something of herself to use for strength on tomorrow’s battlefield? She must be tormented.

I’ll hazard this is her home, her painting of a warrior (Napoleon?) she admires, and her dog (she and the dog where red ribbons; she and the dog beseech the soldier). Furthermore, the dog expresses a straightforward affection that she cannot or will not. Too, red ribbons are anything but mournful and her gown is freshly made—the creases are still visible in the silk; she has donned it for a very special occasion, but I can’t decide which: the soldier’s departure? That doesn’t seem likely, unless she’s pulling out all stops to persuade him to stay. Maybe she has social obligations that demand she dress at odds with her true emotions.

There is more willfulness in his posture than affection or concern. Neither of his hands holds her, neither hand offers her the comfort of a farewell caress.

All in all, this scene is alive with unsettled matters that have no happy end in sight. I want to warn, “Don’t let him go with so much conflict between you.”