Antoniazzo treats the episode with great skill and elegance. The Virgin is the protagonist, and is depicted in the act of imploring God to concede the miracle. Although modelled on traditional iconography, she is not a rigid and hieratic figure but has been transformed into a calm and gracious Renaissance Madonna. At the bottom, under a parapet, the miraculous event is represented in reduced scale; here an angel can be seen reinstating the hand to the Pope.
During the second half of the 15th century Antoniazzo became the most competent Roman painter. His ability to absorb influences from different artists who came to Rome helped him to develop an original style which, over a number of years, allowed him to compete successfully for numerous important commissions.
(National Gallery of Ireland: Essential Guide, 2008)
Mostra di Melozzo e del Quattrocento romagnolo, Palazzo dei Musei, Forli, June - October 1938
Piermatteo D'Amelia. A Protagonist of Renaissance between Florence and Rome, Centro per le Arti Opificio ex Siri Terni, 12 December 2009 - 2 May 2010