1576 · Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice

The spectacular Sala Superiore (Upper Hall) on the upper floor of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is one of the most impressive interiors in Venice. The chamber, with its simple, lucid design (note the fine arched Renaissance windows), is dominated by the splendid ceiling of gilt woodwork, in which Tintoretto set his paintings of stories from the Old Testament, while the walls are lined with episodes from the Gospels. The whole series was painted between 1576 and 1581, while Tintoretto was also working on the decorations in the Doge's Palace.