[1] The painting was commissioned to Perugino in 1497 for the high altar of the Vallombrosa Abbey, by Don Biagio Milanesi, Father General of the Order of the Vallombrosan friars.

[3] As for other Perugino's works, the panel is divided into two sections, in a pattern derived from his Assumption (now lost) of the Sistine Chapel: the upper part with God and celestial figures, and the lower one, with the saints.

In the middle is the ascending Mary, enclosed within an almond which sharply ends at the lunette, in turn occupied by a blessing God surrounded by angels.

Below are four saints, portrayed above an indeterminate hilly landscape: from left, Bernard degli Uberti, John Gualbert, founder of the monastery at Vallombrosa; Benedict and the Archangel Michael.

At the lower edge is the artist's signature, reading "PETRVS PERVSINVS PINXIT AD MCCCCC".