The patron of the work was Count Ettore Ghislieri, who founded a painting academy in his own palace around the mid-17th century.
When he became a member of the Congregation of the Oratorians at the Church of Santa Maria di Galliera in 1652, the count brought this and other works with him.
A few years later, he commissioned from Guercino the pendant painting depicting Saint Joseph.
The payment for this painting is recorded in the artist’s account book on December 14, 1644.
