A golden sun mask occupies the edge of a theatre dressing table, its long pointed rays reflected in a mirror ringed with bulbs. The fixed grin and dark eye openings look back across the cluttered surface. Cracks and worn patches interrupt the gilding, keeping the object visibly handmade despite its bright colour and elaborate shape.

Beside it, a seated performer has turned his head toward the mask. His face is seen in profile, with light stubble and natural skin texture beneath the warm lamps. A loose white shirt, dark braces and lace cuffs suggest the costume he has yet to put away. One hand rests on the table and the other on his lap, giving his pause a quiet stillness.

Make-up brushes, open tins and a folded cloth sit near a vase of fading orange flowers. A little pumpkin glows beneath the mirror, while velvet robes hang on a rail behind the chair. The room's worn wood, heavy fabric and concentrated light hold the mask and actor together in an intimate moment after the performance.