The painting had a prolonged genesis . Ingres agonised over the pose and made several preparatory sketches . The final work faithfully capture the sitter 's character , conveying both a restless energy and imposing bulk . It is an unflinchingly realistic depiction of ageing and emphasise the furrowed skin and thinning hair of an overweight man who yet maintain his resolve and determination . He sit in three @-@ quarter profile against a brown ground lit from the right , his fingers are pronounced and highly detailed , while the polish of his chair reflect light from an unseen window .