A man with a reddish beard and piercing blue-green eyes looks out from beneath the broad brim of a yellow straw hat, his head turned slightly to the left so that both eyes are visible in a direct, searching gaze. His face is modeled with short, energetic brushstrokes in tones of ochre, pink, and blue, which give a sense of movement and texture to the skin and beard. The hat sits low on his forehead, its woven texture suggested by rapid, parallel strokes of yellow, cream, and brown, casting a faint shadow over the upper part of his face.

He wears a pale, loose-fitting jacket edged with a bold red line, and a light blue shirt collar peeks out at the neck. The background is filled with rhythmic, curved dashes of blue, green, and turquoise, swirling around the figure and echoing the energetic handling of the paint in the face and clothing. These marks create a sense of vibration and depth, setting the figure apart from the neutral ground while enveloping him in an almost halo-like aura.

The composition is tightly cropped, focusing attention on the head and shoulders, with the hat nearly touching the top edge of the surface. The paint is applied in visible, confident strokes, leaving the surface lively and textured, especially around the beard and the background. The palette is dominated by yellows, ochres, and pale blues, with accents of red and green that animate the scene.

Every element, from the quick lines of the jacket to the swirling marks behind the head, contributes to a sense of immediacy and presence. This self-portrait was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1887. The artist depicts himself as the sole figure, directly engaging the viewer with his gaze.