A man sits at a wooden ledge, turned three-quarters to the viewer, his left arm resting on the surface while his right hand is tucked into his cloak. His features are softly illuminated from the left, casting a gentle shadow along the right side of his face and neck, while his reddish-blond hair curls out from beneath the hat. The background is a deep, muted brown, with no visible objects or scenery, focusing attention on the figure’s direct, calm gaze and the subtle play of light across his skin and costume.

The brushwork is smooth and controlled, especially in the rendering of the face and hands, while the textures of fur, fabric, and metalwork are described with delicate variations in color and light. The composition is carefully balanced, with the sitter’s head positioned just left of center and the arched top of the canvas echoing the curve of his hat and shoulders. The upper corners of the painting are rounded, with the paint along the edges showing areas of wear and reddish underlayer.

The background transitions from a darker tone at the top to a slightly warmer, lighter brown near the bottom left. The man’s hat features a decorative gold band and subtle highlights that catch the light along its edge. The fur collar of the cloak is painted with short, textured strokes, giving it a soft, plush appearance.

His left sleeve is voluminous, with broad folds and deep shadows that emphasize the weight of the fabric. Light falls most strongly on the left side of his face, the collar, and the upper chest, leaving the right side and lower portions in shadow. The wooden ledge in the foreground is painted with visible horizontal brushstrokes and has a warm, ochre tone. The subject is Rembrandt himself, shown at the age of thirty-four, as indicated by the title Self-Portrait at the Age of 34.

Technical analysis by the National Gallery has identified the use of lead white, bone black, charcoal black, ochres, and vermilion in the painting’s construction.