It was a commission from the Pucci family - Antonio Billi's account book reports Dionigi and Giovanna Pucci commissioning a work from "Master Piero della Pieve a Chastello, a Perugian" on 20 November 1493 and paying 55 gold ducats on its completion on 20 April 1496.

The central panel shows Mary Magdalene (to whom the monastery church was dedicated in 1257) in prayer at the foot of the cross.

The left panel shows the Virgin Mary with Saint Bernard (a major leader in the reform of Benedictine monasticism that caused the formation of the Cistercian order) and the right one shows John the Apostle with Saint Benedict.

The three tall trees behind St Bernard may symbolise the Holy Trinity.

The work is also mentioned in 16th century sources, although it was forgotten after the monastery passed to Carmelite nuns in 1628.