A young man turns his head over his right shoulder, gazing outward with a composed and direct expression. His face is softly illuminated, revealing flushed cheeks, a faint mustache, and brown, shoulder-length hair that emerges from beneath a broad, black hat. He wears an elaborate white lace collar that spreads widely over his shoulders, its intricate pattern rendered with delicate, calligraphic brushwork.

The dark, oval background recedes behind him, setting off the pale tones of his skin and collar against deep shadow. Light falls from the left, catching the fine textures of lace and the gentle modeling of his features, while the rest of his figure dissolves into darkness below the collar. The surface of the painting reveals subtle transitions in color and tone, with the artist’s hand evident in the crisp lacework and the soft blending of flesh.

The sitter’s lips are slightly parted, and his eyes meet the viewer’s, lending a sense of immediacy and presence. The composition is tightly framed, focusing attention on the upper body and face, with no visible background details or objects. The brim of the sitter’s black hat casts a shadow over his forehead and the upper part of his face, deepening the contrast with the illuminated cheek and nose.

A slight greenish tint is visible in the upper left portion of the background, blending subtly into the surrounding darkness. The lower edge of the lace collar is uneven, with scalloped points extending outward and catching the light at their tips. The sitter’s left shoulder is just discernible beneath the lace, rendered in muted, shadowy tones that merge with the dark background.

Fine, wispy strands of brown hair escape from beneath the hat along the sides of the face and neck, painted with loose, feathery strokes. A faint red mark or signature appears near the lower right edge of the oval, standing out against the black background. The upper right and left corners of the oval are nearly pure black, with no discernible detail or texture.

The paint surface in the dark areas is smoothly blended, while the lacework is built up with more textured, impasto touches. The work depicts Marten Soolmans II, as identified in the museum’s records.