A young child stands at the center of the composition, dressed in a white gown with red ribbons and delicate lace, his right hand resting on the arm of a small red chair. His pale face and wide, serious eyes are turned outward, meeting the viewer with a quiet, solemn gaze. A small lapdog sits inside the chair to the left, its head poking over the armrest and its eyes directed upward, adding a note of melancholy to the scene.

The child’s left hand holds a string of amulets and charms that hang from his waist, their metallic surfaces catching the light against the soft folds of his dress. The carpet beneath his feet is richly patterned in deep reds and browns, echoing the heavy red drapery that frames the left edge of the scene. Behind the child, a darkened interior recedes into shadow, but to the right, an open door allows a shaft of light to enter, illuminating a stool with a red cushion and a hat placed on top.

The composition uses strong contrasts between the bright whites and reds of the child’s clothing and the deep, muted tones of the background to heighten the sense of presence and vulnerability. The brushwork is loose and expressive in the rendering of fabrics and fur, while the child’s features are painted with greater delicacy and precision. The lapdog beside him, with its watery eyes, reinforces the atmosphere of melancholy that surrounds the child. Red tones dominate the work, especially in the drapery, chair, and decorative carpet, while the dark background increases the contrast and draws attention to the central figure.

A shaft of light from the open door in the background subtly highlights the right side of the scene, falling across the stool and hat and adding depth to the interior.