Julien Tanguy sits frontally in a wooden chair, his hands folded loosely in his lap, his gaze directed outward with a calm, contemplative expression. He wears a broad-brimmed straw hat and a blue double-breasted coat, rendered with thick, swirling strokes of paint that create a textured surface. Behind Tanguy, the background bursts with color and pattern, filled with Japanese prints that cover the wall from edge to edge.

A small vase of red and black flowers sits at the lower left, its simplified forms painted with quick, rounded dabs. The entire composition is organized in clear bands and rectangles, with vertical and horizontal lines from the prints and table reinforcing the structure. Van Gogh uses short, energetic brushstrokes throughout, especially in the background, where patterns of parallel lines and dots create a sense of movement.

The color scheme is bright and varied, with strong yellows, blues, greens, and reds, giving the painting a vibrant, harmonious effect. Tanguy's pose is steady and serene, his body framed by the lively backdrop, which emphasizes his tranquil presence. In the upper left background, two small figures walk with umbrellas along a snowy path beside yellow houses.

A large, snow-capped mountain rises prominently in the center of the background, framed by vertical red lines. To the right, a pink-blossomed tree stands beside a winding river and green hills, painted with layered, horizontal strokes. The lower right corner features a brightly colored figure in a kimono, outlined with bold, angular lines and patches of red, blue, and white.

Light falls most strongly on Tanguy's hands and face, highlighting their warm, peachy tones against the cooler blues of his coat. At the bottom edge, vertical blue and yellow stripes border the composition, contrasting with the more organic forms above. Portrait of Père Tanguy was painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1887 in Paris. Portrait of Père Tanguy belongs to the movement of Japonisme, reflecting van Gogh's fascination with Japanese art and its impact on his style. The work demonstrates van Gogh's shift to bright colors and experimental brushwork during his Paris years, a period marked by contact with Impressionists and Japanese prints.