This painting features a stylized, close-up self-portrait of a man with dark hair, a prominent mustache, and a pensive, downwards gaze. Above his head floats a faint, golden halo. A gnarled tree branch hangs into the upper right corner, bearing two apples, one green and one reddish-brown, which add a symbolic, organic element to the composition.
The foreground is dominated by a sinuous, dark blue snake that winds around the figure's shoulder and is held by a hand in the lower right corner. The man wears a bright yellow garment that contrasts sharply with the deep, saturated red of the upper background. The flat, bold blocks of color and lack of traditional depth create an iconic, graphic quality.
The mood is enigmatic and heavy with religious or mythological symbolism, leaning into a deliberate, non-naturalistic style. The application of paint is visible but smooth, characterized by thick, simplified forms and an expressive use of primary colors. In the lower-left corner, the year 1889 and the initials "PG" are inscribed, marking the work's creation within a significant period of the artist's life.