The image depicts a man in profile facing left. He is seated at a slight angle, showing his upper body. The man has a pointed nose, long chin, beard, and wears a cap. He is dressed in a dark robe with a fur collar, and a high, stiff collar underneath. He holds an open book in his left hand and gestures with his right hand. The background has vertical lines. The portrait is surrounded by a border, with text above and below identifying the person as "IOHANNES CALVINVS, THEOL. SINCERISS."