A man in elaborate black body armor stands at the center, his right hand resting on his hip and his left hand gripping a baton or staff. His face is framed by shoulder-length blond curls and a trimmed mustache, and he looks outward with a composed, slightly confident expression. A broad-brimmed black hat sits atop his head, casting a shadow over his forehead and accentuating the pale skin of his face.

A vivid red sash drapes diagonally across his chest, its folds rendered with energetic, textured brushwork that catches the light and contrasts with the dark armor. The armor gleams with highlights, especially on the shoulders and breastplate, where the painter uses loose, fluid strokes to suggest reflections and the hard surface of metal. Delicate lace trim peeks out at the collar and cuffs, painted with quick, light touches to evoke its softness against the rigid armor.

To the right, a warm brown drapery or curtain rises behind him, its surface animated by broad, swirling strokes of ochre and gold. On the left, a shadowy figure in armor is barely visible, receding into the dark background and emphasizing the central figure’s prominence. The background is largely indistinct, painted in deep, muted tones that set off the sitter’s luminous face and the bright red sash.

The artist’s brushwork is especially lively in the treatment of the sash and the reflections on the armor, where the paint appears thick and expressive. The composition is tightly cropped, with the figure filling almost the entire canvas and his commanding pose dominating the space. Small details, such as the gold hilt of a sword and the subtle glint of metal rivets, add to the sense of opulence and military authority. Peter Paul Rubens painted this portrait in 1635, depicting Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria.

The sitter wears body armor, signaling his status as a military leader, and the red sash further marks his rank and distinction. The work has belonged to collections including that of Charles Sedelmeyer and is now associated with the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.