A man with a pointed beard and mustache gazes outward, his face softly illuminated against a dark, shadowy background. His pale skin and reddish-brown hair are rendered with delicate, smooth brushwork, giving a lifelike impression to his features. He wears a broad, white lace collar that sits crisply over a deep green garment, the lace described with intricate, fine strokes.

A heavy, blue-green sash crosses his chest, its folds and sheen painted with subtle gradations of light and shadow. The background is almost entirely dark, with only the faintest hints of form, focusing attention on the sitter’s head and upper torso. His expression is calm and reserved, his lips closed and eyes steady, conveying a sense of dignity and introspection.

The paint surface appears smooth in the face and collar, while the sash and insignia show more visible texture and layering. The composition is tightly cropped, with the figure filling the frame and little space above his head, heightening the sense of immediacy. The upper left and right corners of the painting dissolve into almost complete darkness, with no visible objects or detail beyond the sitter’s head and shoulders.

A soft, golden light falls from the left, accentuating the sitter’s forehead, nose, and the left side of his face while casting gentle shadows on his right cheek and under his chin. The background is a deep, nearly black brown, with subtle tonal shifts but no discernible architectural or natural elements. Fine, wispy brushstrokes define the sitter’s hair, especially at the edges where it blends into the shadow, creating a soft halo effect around his head. Phillip Herbert (1584–1650), 4th Earl of Pembroke is the subject of this portrait by Anthony van Dyck.