The piece depicts the final moments of King Ferdinand III of Castile, nicknamed the Saint, who died in the city ofSeville on May 30, 1252.
It is considered the masterpiece of its painter, Virgilio Mattoni, from Seville. This canvas was painted for the Spanish National Exhibition of 1887, where it was awarded second place. The way in which the monarch's death is portrayed was inspired by an extract from the History of Spain, which was completed during the reign of his own son and heir, Alfonso X the Wise.