In Medici Madonna (van der Weyden), how is the Description discussed?
Within a gold ground for the sky, van der Weyden painted a baldachin lined with precious damask cloth, under which are the Virgin with Child, St. Peter, St. John the Baptist (patron saint of Florence), St. Cosmas (a protector of the House of Medici), and St. Damian.  Cosmas is portrayed while putting a coin in a handbag hanging from his belt, a reference of his legend, according to which he had accepted a small sum for  a medical performance, causing rage in his brother Damian.
In the foreground is a still life with the artist's typical attention to natural details. In the centre is a gilt metallic amphora, in which are several lilies: the white ones symbolize the Virgin's purity, while the red ones are another reference to Florence.
Florence Cosmas House of Medici Medici damask amphora gold ground Virgin with Child