A man in a bright red cap and robe faces left against a dark, nearly black background. His face is round and pale, with a heavy jaw and slightly pursed lips, and his gaze is directed off to the left, not meeting the viewer. The red cap sits snugly on his head, edged with a narrow white band that stands out against the deep crimson.

His robe, also a vivid red, is painted with broad, visible brushstrokes that suggest the folds and weight of the fabric, especially around the shoulders and chest. A white collar peeks out from the neckline, providing a sharp contrast to the surrounding red. The lighting falls from the left, illuminating the sitter’s forehead, nose, and cheek, while casting subtle shadows along the right side of his face and under his chin.

The background remains plain and dark, focusing all attention on the sitter’s features and expression. The artist uses soft blending in the flesh tones, especially around the eyes and cheeks, giving the face a lifelike, three-dimensional quality. Fine details are visible in the sitter’s slightly furrowed brow and the gentle modeling of his nose and lips.

The composition is tightly framed, with the head and upper torso filling almost the entire canvas, emphasizing the importance of the sitter. The portrait depicts Leo X, as identified in the title and supporting records. The painting dates from between 1612 and 1616. Peter Paul Rubens is the artist, as noted in both the title and museum records. The painting’s style and subject place it within the tradition of early 17th-century portraiture by Rubens.