A three-quarter-length, seated portrait showing Brunton wearing a black cutaway coat and trousers, maroon waistcoat, black stock and white shirt and collar. He has brown hair and short side-whiskers. He displays his watch chain which is worn round his neck and emerges between the buttons on his waistcoat before disappearing into one of its pockets. In his right hand he is holding a letter inscribed 'Thos Brunton Esq London 1832'. His right elbow rests on papers on a table beside him, on which are also an inkwell and a pile of books. His left hand rests on the arm of his chair, which is of red-upholstered mahogany. The inclusion of an ink well and books indicates a man of letters. He has been portrayed as a successful, fashionable and confident man meeting the gaze of the viewer. The background is plain.

Thomas Brunton was the inventor of studded-link, marine chain cable, which was used to replace hempen cables and is still in use today. (Unlike ordinary chain, the studs prevent the cable from becoming kinked in use). He patented this invention as number 3671 on 26 March in 1813 and, in association with his brother, William, set up a factory in Stepney, where he produced this patent chain cable. Brunton received considerable support from ship owners in England and from the French government, for its navy. This undoubtedly also helped him to get orders for cables for French merchant vessels. The portrait reveals a man who was also known as one of fashion and culture, especially interested in literature, paintings and horses. The artist was one of his friends and painted this portrait in 1832. In the following year Brunton was killed by a runaway horse.