This portrait depicts a regal, bearded monarch seated on an ornate throne, styled in the manner of Byzantine royalty. He wears a heavy, ceremonial robe of deep orange and gold, heavily embroidered and adorned with geometric patterns and inset gemstones. A wide, rectangular gold panel rests on his chest, displaying intricate metalwork and a central circular motif. He is crowned with a jewelled diadem from which strands of pearls drape down to his shoulders, framing his stern, focused expression.
In his right hand, the figure holds a tall, slender staff topped with a cross-like finial. His left hand rests upon his lap, holding a rolled-up parchment scroll secured with a seal. The throne behind him is dark and complex, featuring recessed, mosaic-like panels that suggest an interior setting within a basilica or imperial chamber.
The colour palette is dominated by warm tones of burnished gold, amber, and deep orange, set against dark, muted shadows that provide a high-contrast backdrop. The lighting highlights the textures of the rich fabric, the glint of the jewels, and the metallic sheen of his regalia. The painting style is representational and classic, capturing the formal, static authority associated with historical imperial portraiture.