This portrait of a man in dark attire is set against a neutral background on which the sharp shadow of the sitter falls, creating the picture space through the use of contrasting light. The oval face with large eyes and trusting expression indicates an open and friendly personality. The plunging collar of the sitter’s white shirt and his loosely knotted red scarf or tie emphasise the somewhat bohemian nature of a member of the wealthy middle classes. The decorative pin in his shirt is set with a precious stone that matches the colour of his eyes. This detail, along with all the others, indicates the degree of thought that has gone into the overall appearance that the sitter has chosen to present to the world. Even his hair – the unruly curls swept back over his crown as though he has just this moment brushed them from his forehead with his hand – indicate how relaxed he feels in the artist’s presence. It is therefore no surprise that Stroj’s Man with Red Tie is considered one of his more original portraits – because of the psychological treatment of the sitter’s face and the carefully developed personal style.