The as-yet-unidentified sitter wears a large hat and his clothing is complemented by a large fur collar. He holds a roll of paper in his left hand. This is probably a Burgher or an important imperial employee whose importance and high social standing are perfectly captured by Dürer.

In a masterful psychological study, the painter brings out the facial features, emphasizing the severe wince of the lips and the concentrated gaze, which capture his authoritarian, distrustful character. The study of light, the way the bust is brought out over a neutral background, and the reduced space, multiply the sense of contained energy, making this one of Dürer's most intense portraits.

This work is first listed at Madrid's Alcázar Palace in 1666.