Steven van Herwijck is looking at us, his hand elegantly placed on his hip. His other hand points to some pieces of gold jewellery on the table. Van Herwijck was a maker of medallions and a goldsmith. He came from Utrecht, but later worked in Antwerp.
The portrait was painted by Anthonis Mor, who also lived in Utrecht and Antwerp. Mor painted lifelike portraits, in which he often depicted his patrons in three-quarter view.