The subject of this dramatic scene is taken from Lord Byron's romantic poem Manfred. It shows the moment when the hero, Manfred, contemplates suicide but at the last minute is persuaded from going through with it by a chamois hunter. Manfred is at the centre of the picture. He stands on the brink of a precipice crowned with thick snow, clutching his hands to his head in a gesture of despair; his dress is intended to be in the style of that of the tenth or eleventh century, being a red belted tunic worn under a brown cape, both of which are blown to the side by the strong wind, also long, pointed shoes and a small pouch hung from his belt. Standing a little way from the edge of the cliff on the right is the figure of the chamois (goat) hunter.