The central figure is a painterly portrait of actor James Dean, captured in a classic, moody pose. He is looking directly at the viewer with a thoughtful, intense expression. He is wearing a white undershirt and a vibrant, textured red jacket. One hand is positioned near his midsection, holding a cigarette, while his other hand rests lower near his waist. His hair is styled in a signature mid-century pompadour.
The artwork uses an expressive, impressionistic style with visible, loose brushstrokes that give the image a gritty, cinematic quality. The background is a soft, neutral grey-wash that fades into light charcoal tones around the figure, emphasizing the intensity of his gaze and the striking warmth of the red jacket. The composition is a vertical, waist-up portrait.
Text elements integrated into the artwork include "CINEMASCOPE" at the top left in a bold, sans-serif font, followed by "JAMES DEAN" in a larger, teal-colored typeface. At the bottom, the title "Rebel Without a Cause" is written in a graceful, white cursive script. Beneath the title, the names of other cast members and the director are listed in smaller, dark red capital letters. The overall aesthetic evokes the promotional posters of 1950s Hollywood cinema.