Seated frontally, with his gaze directed toward the viewer, the subject leans on his elbow, his right hand and extended index finger raised to his right cheek. His face is rendered flatly with a thin-lipped mouth, rosy cheeks, and blue eyes beneath a broad brow. The fifth finger of his hand is adorned with a gold (and possibly ruby or seal) ring. His clothes include a black coat atop a waistcoat and a white cravat. To his right is a table covered with a red cloth; on the table are several bound volumes and sheaves of papers. The background consists of an off-white studio drape.