Tintoretto's dramatic use of perspectival space and special lighting effects make him a precursor of Baroque art.

A notable exponent of the Venetian Renaissance school, Tintoretto’s heyday had been the previous era: the last picture of any considerable importance which he executes, the vast Paradise, at seventy-four feet by thirty reputed to be the largest painting ever done upon canvas, is commissioned in 1588.

He sets up his canvas in the Scuola della Misericordia and works indefatigably at the task, making many alterations and doing various heads and costumes direct from nature.

When the picture has been nearly completed he takes it to its proper place and there finishes it, assisted by his son Domenico for details of drapery, etc.

All Venice applauds the superb achievement: it is the crowning production of Tintoretto's life, the last picture of any considerable importance that he executes.