© Copyright Museo del Prado

This painting afforded Eduardo Rosales, whose many problems and illnesses made his artistic life less than perfect, definitive renown: and it was only at the end of his life that his work was truly appreciated. This painting earned him first prize -and the sale of the canvas to the State- at the National Exposition of 1864. He also presented it at the Paris International Exposition, where it earned him a First Medal and the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor. When Rosales was searching for a theme for his entry at the National Exposition he wanted "to find a matter of great importance in our history", which turned out to be the will that Isabella left upon her death, considered the finest such document of its kind and an exposé of her political philosophy. Isabella appears on her deathbed, with canopy and curtains, dictating her seated scribe the contents of the will. Sitting in a chair, bent and spent, is King Ferdinand, with their daughter and heiress, Princess Juana, known as "La Loca"-. In the group on the right is the covered figure of Cardinal Cisneros, who would later become Regent of Castile.