The work has been in Bergamo since as early as the 16th century, where it likely arrived as part of the dowry of Lucrezia Agliardi, who had been abbess in the monastery of Alzano Lombardo, whence the name.

In this picture, Bellini represented the traditional theme of Mary and Child Jesus.

Behind them is a hanging tapestry resembling the thrones with baldachin that were common in the contemporary sacred conversations.

[2] At the sides are a landscape with towers, castles and small figures, as typical in the artist's production.

There is also a fruit, perhaps a reference to the original sin, or an emblem of the Virgin derived from holy books or hymns.