This striking portrait captures a moment of contemplation, featuring a figure with flowing white hair and a full beard against a dark background. The subject is shown smoking a cigarette, with wisps of smoke curling upward into the shadowy space. They wear what appears to be a brown leather or suede jacket with visible stitching. The lighting dramatically illuminates the weathered skin and creates deep shadows, emphasizing the texture of the beard and the creases around the eyes. The expression conveys a sense of doubt or questioning, fitting the "skepticism" referenced in the title. The composition is intimate, with the subject filling most of the frame, and the technical execution shows remarkable detail in capturing the translucent smoke and the interplay of light on various textures.