A tall, floppy witch's hat with a wide brim and a wrapped fabric band sits on a stack of three antique leather-bound books, centered and flanked symmetrically by two lit taper candles with heavily dripped wax. A pair of small round wire-rim spectacles rests on the table beside the books.

Warm, low candlelight glows from both flames, casting golden highlights against a dim, hazy backdrop and leaving the upper background in soft shadow. Thick impasto and a heavy canvas weave give texture to the folds of the hat and the worn leather spines.