This monumental Madonna, enthroned and flanked by cherubim, likely formed the central component of a large multi-paneled polyptych. The enigmatic Osservanza Master has variously been identified as Sassetta and also as the young Sano di Pietro, based on close stylistic affinities with these other Sienese artists. It is also possible that the paintings attributed to the Osservanza Master are the product of a collaborative workshop to which these artists belonged.