Tsar Alexander II of Russia stands three-quarter length against a plain studio ground, arms folded across his chest in a commanding pose characteristic of the Levitsky studio's formal imperial portraiture. The CDV was produced at the celebrated Moika Embankment, 30 address in Saint Petersburg, where Levitsky held the title of court photographer to Alexander II. The image dates to the period of the Moika studio, established at 30 Moika Embankment from 1865 onward.

The subject wears a dark Russian military frock coat with double-column brass buttons, epaulettes at both shoulders, and a cross-form military decoration suspended at the chest. His distinctive full beard and upswept mustache are clearly rendered, and his gaze is directed slightly upward and to the left of the camera. A decoratively carved table or stand appears at lower left.

Levitsky was considered the best photographer in Russia and was responsible for photographing four generations of the Romanov Dynasty. He is regarded as one of the patriarchs of Russian photography and one of Europe's most important early photographic pioneers, inventors, and innovators. Alexander II, who reigned from 1855 until his assassination in 1881, was among Levitsky's most prominent imperial subjects.

The imprint on the front lower margin reads in Cyrillic: "ЛЕВИЦКИЙ / на Мойкѣ, 30. С. Петербургъ" (Levitsky / on the Moika, 30. St. Petersburg). The reverse is inscribed in pencil: "Alexander of Russia / Emperor."