This work captures a moment of intense, brooding introspection. The subject emerges from a muted, stone-grey background, defined by a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. The deep, ink-rich tones carve out the hollows of the eyes and the sharp structure of the jaw, while smudged white chalk provides a ghostly luminosity to the brow and cheekbones.

The artist uses aggressive, gestural strokes for the hair, suggesting a mind in turmoil or a figure caught in a sudden gust of wind. The lower half of the portrait dissolves into the paper, creating an unfinished, ethereal quality that makes the gaze feel all the more arresting. This piece is a masterclass in Chiaroscuro, focusing on the "lost and found" edges that make portraiture feel alive and breathing.