The Doge is shown in three-quarter-length, standing, facing to slightly to the right. His right hand is by his side while his left is holding a letter. He is wearing gold and pink patterned Ducal robes lined with ermine and a hat.
The inscription in the top right indicates that this is a portrait of Leonardo Donà (Donato) who was Doge from 1606 to 1612. However, the portrait is not a convincing likeness, and it has been suggested that this painting is copied from a portrait of Doge Giovanni Bembo (who reigned from 1615 to 1618) which in the Sala del Scrutinio in the Doges' Palace. It is possibly that Donà's name was inscribed on the portrait because he was the most interesting and important Doge during the period.

This was one of four portraits of Doges acquired by Sir Henry Wotton during his tenure as ambassador in Venice. The paintings were hung in Wotton's dining room at Eton College and bequeathed to Charles I in 1637, Wotton's will describes: 'four pictures at large of those Dukes of Venice, in whose time I was there employed with their names written on the back side, which hang in my ordinary Dining-room, done after the life by Eduardo Fialetto'.

The picture is inscribed in the top right: LEONARDO DONATO: / DOGE DI VENETIA.