Napoleon sits frontally on a circular-backed throne, his body enveloped in a voluminous, ermine-lined purple velvet cloak embroidered with gold bees. A golden laurel wreath crowns his head, and his gaze is direct and unsmiling, fixed outward with an air of authority. The throne is richly ornamented, its armrests capped with ivory balls, and the seat is elevated on a platform.

Napoleon’s white shoes, embroidered in gold, rest on a cushion at his feet, while the carpet beneath the throne displays an imperial eagle in gold and black. The composition is symmetrical and monumental, with Napoleon’s figure dominating the canvas, his elaborate costume and regalia painted with precise, smooth brushwork and sharp contours. At the bottom left, the signature 'INGRES P xit' is visible, while 'ANNO 1806' appears at the bottom right, both inscribed in dark paint on the golden ground.

To the upper right, a shield bearing multiple coats of arms is partly visible, cut off by the edge of the painting. Gold tassels and intricate embroidery decorate the edges of the white ermine cloak near the knees and feet. The paint handling is extremely smooth, especially in the rendering of the fabrics, giving the surfaces a lustrous, almost enamel-like finish.

Fine lines define the contours of the scepters, the folds of the garments, and the decorations on the throne, emphasizing the precision of every detail. Light falls most strongly on the sitter’s face, hands, and the upper folds of the cloak, creating a dramatic contrast with the darker surroundings. The lower edge of the painting shows a gold border with a black outline, framing the eagle on the carpet and the artist’s inscription.

Fine, crisp lines define the intricate gold embroidery on the sleeves and gloves, and the paint is applied so smoothly that individual brushstrokes are almost invisible.