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The iconography combines the Virgin of Humility with the Woman of the Apocalypse (Revelation 12:1), who is described as "clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars". This combination was most common in north Italian painting, including Venice. It is noteworthy that the overwhelming majority of Sienese versions show the Child on the right, generally suckling the Virgin's left breast, while north Italian painters show the Child on the left.
The presence of St Mark, patron saint of Venice, suggests that the panel was painted for a Venetian patron whose name saint was John the Baptist.
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