The sketch is a three-quarter view of Franklin's head and shoulders, with the subject facing the viewer's left. His bare head has hair falling in careful waves onto his shoulders. His expression is placid, with eyes wide and clear, and lips closed but set in a slight bow. Franklin wears a neck-cloth tied in a loose knot, and there is a suggestion of a collarless coat. The signature "David" is in the lower right corner of the paper.

The Rosenbach's curator, Judith Guston, has helped me with this entry.