This painting and 'Three Miracles of Saint Zenobius' are from a series illustrating the life of the 5th-century bishop Zenobius, one of Florence's patron saints, perhaps made as domestic decorations for a patrician family (two other panels from the series survive).

The panels illustrate episodes from Fra Clemente Mazza's 'Life of Saint Zenobius', first printed in 1487. Top, from left to right: Saint Zenobius renounces his intended bride; he is baptized by Saint Theodosius, Bishop of Florence; his mother is baptized; he is consecrated Bishop of Florence by the Pope.

Bottom, from left to right: the saint exorcises devils from two youths possessed as a result of their mother's curse; he resurrects a dead boy, here lying in the lap of his wailing mother; and he restores the sight of a blind pagan who had promised to convert to Christianity.