The work was commissioned by Lorenzo Tornabuoni[1] for the church later known as Santa Maria Maddalena de' Pazzi.

The subject was set by Ghirlandaio with a large classical arch in the background featuring a landscape in the centre.

Others include: the frieze decorated with pearls and shells (allusions to Mary's purity), the light veil of the Madonna, the gilt brooch decorated with pearls and a ruby in the centre (this a hint to Jesus’ future Passion) which holds her cloak.

The Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe of the Uffizi houses a preparatory drawing of Mary's cloak.

Salome's dress is a citation of Filippo Lippi's Bartolini Tondo, which was the inspiration for numerous similarly graceful figures in works by Ghirlandaio, Botticelli and others.