A man with dark, wavy hair and a trimmed moustache sits turned slightly to his right, his face lit warmly from the left and his eyes meeting the viewer with a gentle, almost amused expression. His cheeks are flushed and his lips curve into a subtle smile, giving the portrait a sense of immediacy and personality. He wears a black garment with a broad, stiff white collar that frames his neck and shoulders, the fabric rendered with loose, confident brushstrokes that suggest texture and weight.

The background is a muted brown, softly brushed and without detail, which brings all attention to the sitter’s features and expression. Velázquez applies the paint with visible, lively strokes, especially in the hair and collar, where the brushwork creates a sense of movement and light. No secondary figures or objects appear in the composition, leaving the sitter alone against the backdrop.

The upper left and right corners of the painting show slightly darker brown tones, creating a subtle vignette effect. The light falls most strongly on the left side of the sitter’s forehead, nose, and cheek, leaving the right side of his face and neck in softer shadow. The white collar displays a cool, bluish undertone along its edges, contrasting with the warmer flesh tones of the face.

Fine cracks in the paint surface are visible throughout the work, particularly in the collar and background, indicating the painting’s age. The sitter’s right shoulder is cropped by the lower edge of the canvas, while his left shoulder extends almost to the left edge, creating an asymmetrical composition. A faint highlight runs along the top edge of the left collar, catching the light and emphasizing the crispness of the fabric.

The background transitions from a lighter brown near the sitter’s head to a deeper, cooler brown at the bottom right corner. Loose, swirling brushstrokes in the hair give a sense of volume and softness, with some individual strands suggested above the forehead and ears. The lower left corner of the painting contains a subtle diagonal streak of lighter brown, contrasting with the darker tones nearby.