A striking portrait set against a vibrant landscape of yellow ground and blue sky with a pink-hued mountain ridge. The central figure wears a deep purple or indigo head covering that drapes down, framing their weathered features. The skin tones are rendered in warm terracotta hues, with strong angular features emphasized by bold brushstrokes. The composition is dominated by strong blocks of color - the brilliant blue of the garment, the ochre of the desert landscape, and the cerulean sky. The stark simplicity of the color palette and the austere expression captured in the portrait perfectly reflect the "arid ascetic" of the title, suggesting both the harsh desert environment and a life of spiritual devotion.