It was probably either a private commission [2] or for the general art market; images of the Madonna and Child were often given as wedding presents.

The Northbrook Madonna is in the Worcester Art Museum's permanent collection and was once attributed to Raphael.

[6] The painter of the Northbrook Madonna was later identified by the museum as perhaps being Domenico Alfani, a close friend of Raphael's whose works have often been misattributed to the better-known artist.

There appears to be a sheer translucent ribbon elegantly flowing across the top of her dress and behind her head.

A large structure stands at the end of a long path, thought to be the Church of San Bernardino in Urbino.