The painting was born as an altarpiece of San Giovanni Battista in the church of San Mattia, at the behest of the Consorzio della Donna. The figure of the Baptist, in profile at the center of the scene and on a rise, takes on a particular iconic value and becomes the focal point with respect to the multitude gathered all around. Among the bystanders, the figure from behind with the red cloak and the man with a turban stand out in the foreground, who seems to invite the observer into the scene: both owe a lot to the Campesca culture and in particular to Antonio, of whom Ghidoni is a pupil.