The image depicts the head and shoulders of a man with pronounced features, including deep-set eyes, a strong nose, and thick, wavy hair. He has a full beard and mustache. The man's expression is serious, with his eyes looking slightly upward and to the side. He is dressed in a dark garment, and there is an illustrated frame resembling a stone or brick archway around him, with a thick rope behind him. A hand appears below him holding a wooden beam. The background features brickwork, and the bottom of the image is inscribed with "Old John Brown of Kansas 1800-1859," along with the artist's signature and date, "R. Kadh 1936."