The Venetian "Scuolae" were religious organisations, almost all founded with a charitable purpose in the mid-13th century by Dominicans and Franciscans. Construction of the Scuola of St Roch was begun in 1515 under Bartolomeo Bon and and was not completed until 1549. The construction was financed by donations from Venetians wishing to enlist the support of St Roch, and the Scuola quickly became one of the richest in the city. In 1564, Tintoretto was invited to paint the walls and ceiling of the building. His earliest works are in the small Hall of the Albergo Hall. The artist's later works occupy the Lower Hall of the Scuola. In all. about 50 works by Tintoretto.
