Madonna with Saints John the Baptist and Donatus

The "Piazza Madonna" is a stunning tempera on panel painting from the late 15th century, created between 1474 and 1486. Today, it resides in the Pistoia Cathedral. This masterpiece was commissioned in 1474 from the eminent artist Andrea del Verrocchio to serve as an altarpiece for the oratory of the Piazza Madonna, in honor of Bishop Donato de' Medici. The painting prominently features Saints Donatus of Fiesole and John the Baptist.

Verrocchio did not work on this piece alone; his studio assistants, particularly Lorenzo di Credi, played a significant role in its creation. The project encountered several setbacks, primarily due to payment issues, which delayed its completion until 1486.

In the 18th century, there was some confusion when local historians erroneously attributed the painting to Leonardo da Vinci, based on a note found in the Uffizi. However, considering that Leonardo was only 22 years old in 1474, it is now believed that his involvement in the "Piazza Madonna" was minimal, if any.

Originally, the painting included a predella, but its panels have since been dispersed across various museums. One such panel, "St. Donatus and the Tax Collector" by Lorenzo di Credi, is now housed at the Worcester Art Museum. Other works that are sometimes associated with this predella include "The Birth of the Virgin Mary" and "Miracle of the Snow" by Perugino.