The sculpture, made of white Carrara marble, dates to 1503-1504 and is one of the few works by Michelangelo that left Italy during the artist’s lifetime. It was originally intended for the altarpiece of Siena Cathedral but was purchased by the Mouscron family of Bruges. The merchant Jan Mouscron made the purchase while in Tuscany. The merchant kept the statue in his chapel for years, where it is said to have been admired by Durer himself. In 1514 it was donated to the church.
