The work represents the Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist, dated 1551–1553, and is located in the Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore (Bologna), within the Poggi Chapel, the twelfth chapel, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It was commissioned by Cardinal Giovanni Poggi as his burial site and was executed by Pellegrino Tibaldi between 1552 and 1555.
On the right, we see the Conception of the Baptist; on the left, John baptizing the crowds. The decorative program was completed in 1561 by Prospero Fontana.
