This drawing is one of twelve by Goya in the Hispanic Society's collection, a selection which includes works from all moments of his career.

The subject had been a favorite with eighteenth-century painters and Goya had previously depicted it on various occasions, only with attractive young women on the swing. Now, however, he depicts an old man.

The drawing emphasizes the man's coarse costume and his harsh, almost grotesque features, while offering no indication of setting so that he seems to swing in a vacuum. Although disquieting, the image resembles others by Goya in which he depicted old people moving and walking.