Three men in rich ecclesiastical dress gather closely around a red-covered table. At the center sits a figure in a deep red velvet cap and robe trimmed with white, his hands resting on the table and chair arm. His face is round and pale, his expression solemn and intent, with his gaze directed slightly to the left.

To his right stands a man in a matching red robe, holding a gilded staff topped with a golden orb and tassel, his expression attentive and reserved. On the left, another man in red leans in, his hands hidden, his face turned toward the central figure, eyes lifted as if waiting for a cue or listening. The table before the central figure holds an illuminated book, a small silver bell with a red tassel, and a magnifying glass with a gold handle.

The book is open to a decorated page, its edges gilded and its surface marked by neat lines and colored illustrations. Light falls strongly from the left, catching the folds of the white damask sleeves and the sheen of the red velvet, while the background remains in deep shadow. The figures' faces and hands are painted with careful attention to modeling and texture, showing the play of light across skin and fabric.

The composition arranges the three men in a close triangular grouping, their bodies overlapping and set against a dark, architectural backdrop. The red of the cardinals' robes dominates the color scheme, contrasted by the white and gold details of their garments and the objects on the table. Brushwork is smooth and precise, especially in the rendering of the fur lining, the embroidery, and the reflective surfaces of metal and glass.

Each figure is individualized, with distinct features and expressions that set them apart within the unified setting. The title identifies the sitters as Pope Leo X, with Cardinals Giulio de’ Medici and Luigi de’ Rossi. Raphael is given as the artist of this work.