His weakness for the "Paradiso" is chiefly due to the circumstance that it is the "largest oil painting in the world." I dare say this is true; but the same claim, I recall, was once made for an original poster in the Strand.

The "Paradiso" was one of Tintoretto's last works, the commission coming to him only by the accident of Veronese's death.
Veronese was the artist first chosen, with a Bassano to assist, but when he died, Tintoretto, who had been passed over as too old, was permitted to try.

The great man, painting on canvas, at the Misericordia, which had been turned into a studio for him, and being assisted by his son Domenico, finished it in 1590; and it was the delight of Venice.

At first he refused payment for it, and then consented to take a present, but a smaller one than the Senate wished to offer.
The scheme of the work is logical and again illustrates his thoughtful thoroughness.

At the head of all is Christ with His Mother, about and around them the angelic host led by the archangels--Michael with the scales, Gabriel with lilies, and Raphael, in prayer, each of whom presides, as we have seen, over one corner of the Palace.