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The large altarpiece is divided into three sections by four richly carved pilasters. In the central panel, the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene stand on either side of the crucified Christ. Two angels approach the crucifix on either side within the panel, and two angels bearing a crown of thorns are in the frieze directly above. The lateral niches contain figures of St Jerome (on Christ's right) and St Anthony of Padua (on Christ's left). A half figure of St John the Evangelist with his accompanying eagle is in the roundel above St Jerome, while St Mark with his lion peers out from a roundel above St Anthony of Padua. The predella contains the arms of the Martini family on Christ's right and those of the Salviati family on his left. The story of St Jerome with the lion is in the predella under the niche figure of St Jerome, the Adoration of the Child underneath the Crucifix, and the Miracle of the Ass of Rimini under St Anthony of Padua. The upper frieze contains shells flanked by wings. The cornice is surmounted by a half circle with the monogram of Jesus (IHS) made popular by St Bernardino of Siena. Two angels with their hands crossed over their chest approach the half circle on either side while gazing up at the figure of the blessing Christ child who crowns the top.
This altarpiece is a fine example of Andrea Ferrucci's skill in marble carving. All scholars have noted how the form of the altarpiece demonstrates Andrea Ferrucci's familiarity with the works of Desiderio da Settignano, Andrea Sansovino, Antonio Rossellino, Benedetto da Maiano and Francesco Botticini. The entire altarpiece is very similar to Andrea Sansovino's Corbinelli Chapel altarpiece (c.1485) at Santo Spirito in Florence.
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