A dense crowd of soldiers and peasants fills the foreground, gathered in a wooded clearing under a dramatic sky with clouds and blue patches. At the center, a man in a light-colored military uniform sits upright on a dark horse, holding his hat aloft in a gesture that commands attention from those around him. To his left, a figure in black attire and a clerical hat sits on horseback, gazing toward the central rider.

Behind the central group, tall pine trees rise, their trunks forming a backdrop that frames the mass of figures. Multiple banners and standards are raised high, including a prominent red banner with a portrait and decorative border near the right, mounted on a cart with large wheels. Around the cart, men in white coats and red sashes stand, some holding pikes or scythes, while others gesture or look out to the distance, their faces animated with excitement or determination.

On the ground in the foreground, wounded and fallen figures lie among weapons and debris, some attended by others offering aid or comfort. The left side of the scene shows armed men in varied uniforms and hats, some aiming muskets, others tending to the injured or dead. The composition is crowded and energetic, with diagonals formed by weapons, banners, and gestures leading the eye across the action.

Matejko uses vivid reds, whites, and earth tones, with strong contrasts between the illuminated figures and the shadowed woods behind them. Brushwork appears precise and detailed, especially in the rendering of faces, costumes, and foliage, with textures visible in fabric folds and tree bark. In the distance, a mass of troops and smoke suggest ongoing battle beyond the immediate gathering. Battle of Raclawice was painted by Jan Matejko in 1888, depicting the historic battle of 1794.

The work is part of the genre of history painting and is associated with the movement of historicism.