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