English: The black-cloaked figures are Dominican priests (the Blackfriars, the Order of Preachers, O.P.), and the black-and-white dogs are their symbol. (Founded by St. Dominic to preach against heresies, they were referred to as "domini canes", hounds of God.)

In the left foreground there is a group of about five dozen figures representing Christendom, and illustrating the religious and secular hierarchies. In the right foreground are three Dominican saints. (Their identification varies among sources.) St. Peter Martyr sends the dogs to round up lost sheep and fight off wolves. St. Dominic preaches to the people while St. Thomas debates heretics.

Behind the preachers, in the right middleground, there is a group of worldly pleasure-seekers (above Thomas and the heretics) and two more Dominican figures (above St. Peter and St. Dominic). The faithful are being blessed and ushered to the gate of Heaven, where St. Peter welcomes them.