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The hospital in Pistoia was founded in the 13th century to provide succour to the poor. The loggia where the frieze was installed was commissioned in 1512 by Leonardo di Giovanni Buonafede (d. 1545) who became governor of the hospital in 1522. The frieze itself is in fact dated several decades later, 1585, some nine years after the death of the first artist who carried out the work, Santi Buglioni. Between 1584 and 1586 payments were recorded to a local painter, Filippo di Lorenzo Paladini, to finish the work. The third scene, Giving Drink to the Thirsty, which differs technically and stylistically from the other scenes, may be by Paladini, and the bearded central protagonist seen there could represent the later governor of the hospital, Bartolommeo Montechiari. The sculptures are unusual in their use of colour, and complement the elegant Renaissance architecture of the building.
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