Maurice Barrett staged, produced, and performed in a number of Broadway productions in the early 20th century. Notable productions included: Smooth As Silk (1921), The Hindu (1922), Straight Thru the Door (1928), and The Traitor (1930). Barrett was best known for his roles portraying a Hindu character in "The Master of Ballantrae" and "The Eyes of the Youth", recognized as such in a Washington newspaper, The Spokesman-Review in 1922. He assumes that role in this portrait, characterizing a Hindu figure in wearing a velvet turban and Nehru-collared shirt. The frame captures his profile as he drives his gaze past the small crystal ball he holds before his face. Hixon retouched all of his photographs through chemical manipulation of the negatives in the development process, but Barrett demanded that it not be done to his particular portrait. For what reason remains unknown, but the impact achieved through the mirrored reflection of light on the crystal ball and Barrett's eye is significant, needing no manipulation to convey his dedication to character.