A man with a full brown beard and blue-grey eyes sits turned slightly to his left, looking directly outward from the centre of the composition. He wears a voluminous black hat with a soft, sculptural form that casts a shadow over his forehead and frames his face. His gaze is calm and steady, the eyes painted with a clarity that stands out against the muted background.

The sitter’s upper body is wrapped in a thick, greyish cloak that drapes heavily over his shoulders and arms, its folds rendered with subtle gradations of light and shadow. Beneath the cloak, a white shirt with a pleated front emerges, its fabric crisply illuminated by the light falling from the left. A dark doublet with a row of round buttons or studs is visible at the chest, providing a sharp contrast to the paler cloak and shirt.

His hands are gently clasped together at the lower left edge of the painting, the fingers relaxed and natural, with soft modelling that suggests the texture of skin. The background is a plain, warm-toned surface, free of any ornament or detail, which focuses attention on the figure and enhances the sense of intimacy. Light falls across the sitter from the upper left, illuminating the right side of his face and the folds of his cloak, while the left side recedes into gentle shadow.

The brushwork is smooth and controlled, especially in the rendering of flesh and fabric, with subtle transitions between tones and a soft, velvety surface. The composition is tightly framed, with the figure filling the space and the head positioned just below the upper edge, creating a sense of immediacy and presence. Small details, such as the glint of light in the eyes and the delicate highlights on the knuckles, reveal the artist’s careful observation and technical skill. Baldassare Castiglione is painted by Raphael, as given in the title line.