Anthony van Dyck turns his head over his left shoulder, meeting the viewer’s gaze with dark, alert eyes and a composed expression. His brown, shoulder-length hair frames his face, and a well-groomed moustache and pointed beard define his features. He stands outdoors, his figure set against a sky filled with soft, voluminous clouds that occupy much of the background.

The artist’s right hand is raised, with his index finger extended to touch the lower petals of a large yellow sunflower that dominates the right side of the composition. Van Dyck’s left hand holds a gold chain, its length draped diagonally across his chest and shoulder, with his thumb and forefinger pinching a link to draw attention to this detail. He wears a richly dyed pink overcoat, the satin fabric catching the light to reveal folds and highlights, while a white shirt shows at the collar, cuffs, and through a narrow slit at his back.

The light source comes from the lower left, illuminating the artist’s face, the sunflower’s outer petals, and the shimmering surface of his garment, while casting subtle shadows that model his hands and features. A second, smaller sunflower bud appears just below and to the left of the large sunflower, its petals still closed and greenish-yellow in hue. Dark green leaves with broad, rounded shapes extend from the sunflower stems, filling the lower right corner of the painting.

The upper left corner is dominated by a deep blue sky, which gradually lightens as it approaches the clouds at the center. The edge of van Dyck’s white collar is crisply defined against his neck, with delicate brushwork suggesting its fine texture. The paint on the clouds is applied in swirling, loose strokes that create a sense of movement and softness.

A shadow falls across the lower right edge of the sunflower, emphasizing the volume of the petals and the depth of the flower’s center. The composition is tightly framed, focusing on van Dyck’s upper body and the sunflower, with the background clouds providing a dramatic, atmospheric contrast to the vivid colors and textures in the foreground.