Two men appear close together against a shadowy, neutral background, filling almost the entire frame of Self-portrait with a friend. The man on the left, facing forward, gazes directly outward with calm, dark eyes and a composed expression. His dark, shoulder-length hair frames his oval face, and his trimmed beard and mustache are softly rendered.

He wears a black garment over a white shirt with a delicately painted, pleated collar that catches the light, its folds described with fine, smooth brushwork. The second figure, seated slightly in front and to the right, turns his head to look at the first man, his gaze intent and animated. His curly hair and fuller beard are painted with a looser touch, giving texture and volume to his features.

He also wears a white shirt with a similar pleated collar, but his is more open at the neck, revealing more of his chest and the play of light across the fabric. The friend’s right hand extends forward, fingers splayed in a dynamic gesture, while his left hand is partly visible at the lower edge, holding an indistinct object. The left figure’s arm rests gently on the friend’s shoulder, a gesture of familiarity and connection.

Both figures are illuminated from the left, their faces and hands emerging from the darkness, while the background remains deep and undefined. The composition is tightly framed, with the figures’ dark clothing blending into the shadowed setting, focusing attention on their faces and hands. Subtle gradations of tone model the skin and fabric, and the brushwork is smooth and controlled, especially in the rendering of the faces and the crisp folds of the shirts.

The palette is restrained, dominated by blacks, whites, and warm flesh tones, creating a sense of intimacy and gravity. Self-portrait with a friend is attributed to Raphael, whose name appears in the catalogue entry.