During the Pontificate of Nicholas IV (1288-92), Saint Mary Major underwent a true artistic flourishing. The direction of the mosaic works in the apsis was entrusted to Jacopo Torriti. The bottom portion depicts scenes from Mary’s life: the Annunciation, the Dormitio, the Adoration of the Magi and the Presentation of Jesus to Temple. The upper portion was inspired by an iconography that was popular in France: the coronation of Mary. The couple is flanked on both sides by eight angels and a seraph and Saints Francis, Peter and Paul (on the left), John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and Anthony of Padua (on the right).
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