When this altarpiece was commissioned, Venice had been under the dominion of the House of Visconti for just forty years. There was a great sense of optimism in the city, which is reflected in Titian's use of color. The painting is among the greatest examples of Venetian Renaissance art and is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational works of Christian art. It would never have been commissioned were it not for members of the Grimani family, who were able to secure immunity from prosecution by Pope Paul III for crimes including homicide and incest in exchange for commissioning an altarpiece to celebrate Maria Loredana's profession as a nun. She is depicted at top center, wearing a yellow veil, having an anchor tattooed on her left forearm, and holding a book showing the Virgin Mary enthroned. In order to better appreciate Titian's mastery, compare the varied sculptural effects he produces on her face with those in similar paintings by Bellini and Tintoretto.
In the sixteenth century, with the introduction of oil painting, Renaissance art became known for its dynamic qualities and its use of light and colour. Titian's Assumption of the Virgin Mary was one of his last paintings created before his death in 1576. The painting is true to form with the other large-scale Venetian canvases from this period, such as Pietro Perugino's Inventing of the True Cross (1504-1505) and Tintoretto's Last Supper (1566-1568). Titian's religious scene was revolutionary for its time; it is a large canvas depicting over 100 figures, clothed in a breathtaking range of colours. The painting depicts the moment of bodily resurrection described in the apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecla (second century CE) when Jesus rises before St Paul intimating his own resurrection. In this painting, Christ has already emerged from his tomb as he lifts up into heaven while being supported by so called "angelic guardians". A multitude of figures rush towards him as they are carried aloft by a glowing cloud. They are filled with joyous expressions as they begin their journey through endless skyways to heaven.
