The monumental presence and specific poses of the figures reveal the artist's intensive study of Andrea del Sarto's work, in whose workshop Puligo was active. While countermovements and interlocking gazes are characteristic compositional features of Mannerism, the motif of Mary kneeling on the ground and the animated pose of the Christ Child on her lap are very much along the lines of Andrea del Sarto's pictures of the Madonna in particular. Of the many devotional pictures by the master, this one holds a special place as an ambitious late work of exceptional quality.