The Angel Gabriel kneels in the street with St. Emidius. He holds a model of the town of Ascoli, of which he is patron. The picture was painted to commemorate the papal grant of 1482 to Ascoli's citizens of certain rights of self-government. The announcement of this privilege was made in Ascoli on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, and each year a procession was made to the church of Santissima Annunziata, for which the picture was painted. Typical of Crivelli is the fastidious attention to architectural, sculptural and other details, including the birds, the carpet, flowers and the interior.

St. Emidius  [d. 304] was a pagan Teuton living in Trier who was converted to Christianity. He went to Rome and was forced to flee the wrath of the pagans when he destroyed an idol in a pagan temple. He was ordained and consecrated a bishop by Pope Marcellus [r. 296-304], who sent him to evangelize the region around Ascoli Piceno. His great success in making converts caused him to be arrested and beheaded during Diocletian's persecution of the Christians along with Eupolus, Germanus, and Valentius, three of his followers. St. Emidius is the patron against earthquakes and his Feast Day is August 9.