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.
