Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, sits astride a powerful chestnut horse that rears up dramatically against a broad, clouded sky. His right hand holds a marshal’s baton, raised diagonally, and his gaze meets the viewer directly, his expression composed and commanding. The horse’s head is turned to the left, its mane flying and harness adorned with gold, as its front legs lift high above the ground, suggesting movement and energy.

Behind the figure, a river winds through a green landscape, with distant hills fading into blue and a patch of open sky filled with swirling clouds. The ground beneath the horse is uneven, with tufts of grass and a suggestion of rocky terrain, painted in earthy browns and greens. The brushwork varies across the canvas: the landscape and sky are rendered with broad, fluid strokes, while the armor, trappings, and facial features are handled with greater precision and texture.

The composition places the Count-Duke high in the frame, viewed from a low angle that emphasizes his stature and the imposing presence of the horse. A pink and gold sash drapes diagonally across the rider’s torso and cascades over the back of the horse, its folds rendered with loose, textured brushstrokes. The lower left corner contains a pale, angular rock or stone, painted with broad, opaque strokes that contrast with the softer treatment of the grass.

The horse’s tail is painted with sweeping, dark lines, creating a sense of movement and texture against the lighter ground. Delicate highlights on the horse’s bridle and harness emphasize the metallic gold details, while the background foliage is suggested with dappled, impressionistic touches of green and yellow. The background’s schematic treatment and the absence of specific buildings or crowds focus attention on the figure, reinforcing the sense of command and singular achievement.