This work was commissioned by the Goldsmiths' Guild for
the chapel of their patron, St Eligio in San Marco. Since it
was restored, this work has been considered a key piece in
Botticelli's mature period. The composition is clearly
divided into two sections, a new innovation at the time. In
the upper section is the Virgin crowned by God the Father
and surrounded by dancing angels. In the lower section are
the saints John the Evangelist, Augustine and Jerome whose
writings allude to the episode depicted above. On the
extreme right is St Eligio. The predella which is divided by
four painted wooden columns, shows the themes of the
alterpiece, including the story of St Eligio who tricked a
demon by shoeing the detached leg of a horse, hence he was
also the patron saint of
blacksmiths.
