The portrait was commissioned by Lorenzo Tornabuoni after his wife's death in 1488 and includes many symbolic details.

[2] The painting portrays Giovanna degli Albizzi, a Florentine noblewoman who was married to Lorenzo Tornabuoni.

[3] She has been identified thanks to her other portraits in the Tornabuoni Chapel and a medal of Giovanna, also by Ghirlandaio, where she has the same hair style.

On the right, behind her, are a hanging coral necklace (perhaps a rosary), a partly closed prayer book, and a Latin inscription, taken from an epigram by the 1st century AD poet Martial.

[2] Many aspects of this portrait hold symbolic significance in emphasizing her wealth, status, and piety.

[4] The pendant featured in the portrait shows a small diamond set in gold above a large ruby with three pearls hanging beneath it.

[1] The epigram reads: "ARS VTINAM MORES ANIMVM QVE EFFINGERE POSSES PVLCHRIOR IN TERRIS NVLLA TABELLA FORET MCCCCLXXXVIII".

The necklace Giovanna is wearing in the final portrait was originally a string of beads and featured a different pendant.

During this time, portraits of deceased individuals served to record lineage, exemplify important figures, and commemorate loved ones.