A man stands against a dark, neutral background, his body turned slightly to the left while his head faces forward, engaging the viewer with a composed expression. He wears a lavish red cloak richly embroidered with silver patterns, draped over a pale, silvery doublet that glimmers in the light. A large, white lace collar sits atop his shoulders, its crisp edges and delicate pattern sharply contrasting with the bold red beneath.

His right hand grips a slender staff or baton, held diagonally across his body, while his left hand rests on a broad-brimmed black hat, the soft shape of which is rendered with deep, velvety tones. A sword hilt peeks from beneath his cloak at his left hip, suggesting his status and role. The man's hair is parted and falls to his collar, framing a long, pale face marked by a prominent jaw, a thin mustache, and a small, pointed beard.

His gaze is steady and direct, the eyes subtly illuminated, lending a sense of presence and authority. The background is painted in a deep, nearly black tone, which throws the figure into sharp relief and focuses attention on the elaborate costume and the sitter's face. Velázquez uses loose, confident brushwork to suggest the shimmer of silk and the intricate lace, while the red cloak is built up with broader, more textured strokes.

The composition is tightly cropped, filling the frame with the figure and leaving little space above his head or beside his arms, heightening the sense of immediacy.