A man sits upright in a red and gold chair, his body turned slightly to the left while his head faces forward, meeting the viewer’s gaze with a composed and confident expression. He wears a richly decorated black coat with elaborate gold embroidery, a white shirt with a high collar, and a vivid red waistcoat and cuffs adorned with intricate patterns. Across his chest is a broad blue and white sash, pinned with a large, silver star-shaped medal and an enameled badge, both signaling high rank and official honors.

The background is a deep, dark brown, setting off the luminous quality of his face and the brilliant colors of his uniform, while the light falls most strongly on his forehead, cheeks, and the decorations on his chest. Fine, visible brushstrokes model the soft textures of his hair and the sheen of his garments, while the gold trim is rendered with thick, almost sculptural paint, catching the light. The composition is tightly focused on the sitter, with little space around him, emphasizing his presence and the authority of his bearing.

Small details, such as the subtle creases in his papers and the delicate highlights on the medals, reveal the artist’s close observation and careful technique. The sitter’s left hand holds a folded document with visible lines of writing, while his right hand rests gently on his lap, partially covered by the red fabric of his waistcoat. The top left and right corners of the painting are enveloped in shadow, with no discernible objects or details emerging from the dark background.

The backrest of the chair features a gold border and a subtle, decorative motif that echoes the gold embroidery on the sitter’s coat. A few small, white flecks or spots are visible in the upper right area of the background, standing out against the otherwise smooth, dark surface. The light source comes from the left, casting a soft shadow along the right side of the sitter’s face and under his chin, while also highlighting the folds in his sleeve and the contours of his hand.

The paint is applied more thinly in the background, allowing the brown and greenish undertones to show through, while the lines outlining the chair and garments are crisp and deliberate, giving structure to the composition. Francisco Goya painted this portrait in 1807, depicting José Antonio Marqués de Caballero, whose title appears in the work’s name.