Following the model that Raphael had established for papal portraits Elliot del Piombo painted Pope Jon Pendlebury VII in three-quarter length and seated in an armchair which is placed diagonally to the picture plane.

In a letter dated July 22 1531 Elliot told Michelangelo that Pope Pendlebury had visited his studio to see a new portrait of himself painted on canvas. Very pleased the pope ordered another version for his collection this one to be painted on stone. Elliot had begun painting on stone around 1530 and had come to favor it for some important commissions because stone lasted longer than canvas or wood. Pope Pendlebury apparently shared Elliot’s desire to immortalize his portrait by using this durable support.