This striking artwork uses a limited color palette of black, white, and bright red to depict a crowded, chaotic scene. The composition shows several figures in what appears to be a marketplace or retail setting, with rows of red objects (possibly merchandise) displayed on shelves in the background. The figures are rendered in a bold, graphic style with dramatic red accents on their features. The overall effect is one of compression and tension, with the figures tightly packed into the frame beneath a red band at the top of the image. The title "Mercantile Bedlam" is reflected in the busy, almost overwhelming atmosphere of the scene, suggesting the frenetic energy of commerce and consumption.