The nude torso of an old man, strongly illuminated by sunshine was a subject much explored by this artist as a means of studying the influence of light on dark backgrounds.

As was customary in Fortuny's works, the surface shows various degrees of completion in different parts. he lower part of the painting is only sketched in, while the model's head, in the upper part, shows deeper work and is extraordinarily natural. This is favored by the study of light, which offers contrasting areas of light and shadows.

It entered the Prado Museum as part of the legacy of Ramón de Errazu.