The artwork has returned to Florence's Uffizi Gallery after being taken to the Opificio Delle Pietre Dure institute for restoration in 2011 due to serious deterioration of the surface.
The painting is the star of a special exhibition which opened on Tuesday, following the restoration which was conducted with the financial support of the Amici degli Uffizi (Friends of the Uffizi) association.
The panel was commissioned from the Augustinian Friars for the church of San Donato in Scopeto in 1481.
The artist left it unfinished after moving to Milan in 1482, prompting the friars to ask Filippino Lippi to produce another altarpiece on the same subject.
That work was completed in 1496.
Da Vinci’s painting, the biggest survivor panel of the master at 246 x 243 cm, was housed at the Benci family's properties in Florence for some time before entering the Medici collections.
