A single leafy branch sweeps diagonally across the canvas, its five-lobed leaves in antique gold, rust red, oxblood and deep burgundy. Warm, low light picks out the gilded foreground leaves in Old Master chiaroscuro, while darker leaves recede into shadow. A thin twig with a few small red rose-hip berries and dried sprigs rises at the upper left.

The surface has the look of coarse linen, with buttery impasto on the gold leaves, thinner glazed darks behind, and a soft aged-varnish glow. The mood is rich, moody and warm, opulent yet muted.