The identity of this man is unknown, but his persona is not. He is dressed here as the archetypal French painter in an exaggerated beret, precise mustache, painters frock, paintbrush, and wooden paint palette. Although there is no paint on his materials, one can assume that he is in the midst of working on the piece hanging on the wall behind him. He stands poised with brush to palette and head turned to the side, offering a dramatic profile of his character.