Mr. Hay is seated three-quarter profile in a red upholstered arm chair relaxing and reading the newspaper. His left arm grips the edge of the chair while his right arm holds the newspaper, spread across his lap. He is wearing a blue business suit, white collar shirt, and a gold and blue stripe tie. Behind Mr. Hay, to the left, a column extends to the top of the painting. To the right, the back of the chair is situated in a corner where a wall with decorative paneling can be seen–the same woodworking as the Music Room.