His hair is short and tousled, receding at the temples, and his mustache and beard are rendered with thick, directional brushstrokes that give them a wiry texture. Strong shadows fall across his forehead, nose, and cheeks, emphasizing the angular structure of his face and the intensity of his expression. His eyes, set deep under heavy brows, look outward with a sense of directness and introspection, their irises dark and reflective.

The collar of his shirt is visible beneath a dark jacket, painted with broad, confident strokes that suggest the folds of the fabric without precise detail. The background is loosely painted, with visible brushwork and subtle shifts in color that create a sense of depth and atmosphere behind the figure. Light falls from the left, illuminating the left side of his face and the bowl of the pipe, while the right side recedes into shadow.

The composition centers the head and shoulders, filling the frame so that the figure dominates the space and engages the viewer directly. The paint surface is textured, with visible ridges and variations in thickness, especially in the hair, beard, and background. The palette is restrained, relying on earthy browns, reds, and blacks, with subtle highlights in the flesh tones and shirt.

Every detail, from the glint on the pipe to the furrowed brow, is constructed with expressive, visible brushwork that reveals the artist’s hand. The background is a deep, mottled brown with hints of red, painted with loose, swirling strokes that create a smoky, atmospheric effect behind the figure. No secondary figures or objects appear in the composition; the subject is isolated against the dark backdrop.

The upper left and right corners are especially dark, almost blending the subject’s hair and jacket into the background. The pipe’s bowl contains a small, bright orange ember, providing a sharp accent of color amid the subdued palette. Light catches the edge of the subject’s left ear and the tip of his nose, while the right side of the face and jacket dissolve into shadow with little visible detail. Self-portrait with pipe is made by Vincent van Gogh, as stated in the title line.