The image is a pencil drawing of a man from the shoulders up in a three-quarter view. The man is slightly angled to the left, with his head turned towards the viewer. He has distinct facial features, including pronounced eyes and a full beard. The man has thick, slightly wavy hair, and is holding a pipe in his mouth. He is wearing a collared shirt. The background is plain, and the drawing is on a piece of paper with visible age-related discoloration. Handwritten text on the paper identifies the artist as W. Stainthorp, located in Washington, D.C., in 1888.