The painting shows Mary and the Child crushing the serpent of original sin, in the presence of Saint Anne. The painting was rejected by the commissioners because the Child, who was too grown up to be portrayed completely nude, caused a scandal. Also scandalous were the Madonna's plunging neckline and the model chosen for the latter, Lena, who was a known prostitute. Excellent interplay of volume, light and shadow make the painting very plausible.