Although the exact year of composition is unknown, a note on the autograph manuscript, "Paris, July 6," indicates that it was composed at least after 1832 (as Chopin had not yet arrived in Paris on July 6, 1831). It is generally considered to be a work from around 1837. This work was discovered in Paris in 1938, after Chopin's death and in the 20th century, and was published in the same year.

It is a chorale-like work, written in 4/4 time with a "Largo" tempo indication, and takes the form of a binary structure. Although the autograph manuscript does not include a repeat sign for the latter half, from measure 17 onwards, the Paderewski edition includes this repeat sign.