The panels in this trail were made for a variety of different people, or patrons – ranging from religious institutions to private individuals.  Sometimes, clues as to the patron can be found within the subject matter of the object itself.  In the case of the artist Fra Angelico, a novice of the Dominican monastic order, it is likely that his panel depicting Saint Peter Martyr – a Dominican saint - was part of a commission for a Dominican church.

In some cases, the contract for a commission might survive. Benozzo Gozzoli's panel depicting The Death of Simon Magus was part of an altarpiece painted for the oratory of a youth confraternity - the Compagnia di Santa Maria della Purificazione e di San Zanobi - which was affiliated to the Convent of San Marco in Florence.  The contract for the altarpiece – signed on 23 October 1461 – still survives, and is remarkably detailed in its requirements, stipulating that the commission should be painted 'entirely by his [Gozzoli's] own hand with all due diligence' and use the finest materials.

Artists were also patronised by wealthy individuals or families. Benozzo Gozzoli worked for prestigious patrons such as the powerful Medici family in Florence. By 1461 – the date of the altarpiece for the confraternity of Santa Maria della Purificazione – Gozzoli had just completed an important fresco cycle for the private chapel in the Medici Palace. Cosimo Medici was also a major benefactor of the Covent of San Marco and the confraternity itself, so may well have recommended Gozzoli for the commission.