Originally from a wealthy noble family, Ernest Soler i de les Cases was a painter, sculptor and writer: his father was the playwright Frederic Soler i Hubert (Pitarra) and his mother was Albina de Las Cases Bergnes, a family of French origin linked to Louis VI, and niece of the publisher Antoni Bergnes de Las Casas. His grandfather, Bernat-Agustí de Las Cases, owned Tivoli Gardens, on Paseo de Gracia.

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Although most of his production focuses on genre paintings, the present, intimate portrait shows Soler’s talent as portraitist. He also had a relevant career as a writer, publishing a number of novels. Some of his paintings and drawings are today at Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelona.

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The sitter, Gaspar Cassadó i Moreu (1897–1966), was an important Catalan cellist and composer, as well as a good friend of the artist.

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