A man in dark clothing holds a quill over a sheet of paper, looking forward
A man is depicted from the waist up, looking directly forward against a dark, muted background. His balding head is topped with a dark cap, and his round, light-skinned face features a prominent nose, small mouth, and light eyes. He wears a serious or neutral expression. A crisp white collar stands out against his dark, possibly black, robe or coat, which has wide sleeves. His right arm is bent, and his right hand holds a dark quill pen, poised over a large, off-white sheet of paper. His left hand supports the paper, which is angled towards the viewer. The paper shows faint, illegible markings or text. Light appears to originate from the upper left, illuminating his face, hands, and the paper, creating a strong contrast with the dark clothing and background. The overall palette is dominated by dark browns and blacks, with lighter tones for the skin, collar, and paper.