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The canvas presents an ethereal tableau that draws the viewer into a mystical scene, where the borders between the material and the spiritual world seem to blur. The painting is divided into two distinct sections, much like a diptych, reflecting a harmonious but dual nature.

In the foreground, a group of robed figures stand solemnly on what appears to be a scenic, rolling hillside. These figures are garbed in long, flowing robes of cream and other muted tones, suggesting monastic habits that denote a sense of holy reverence and contemplation. Their positions and gestures seem almost frozen in time, as though captured mid-ritual. Some have their heads bowed in silent prayer, while others direct their eyes and hands upwards towards the heavens, suggesting invocation and connection to the divine. The subtle yet deliberate gestures of these figures contribute to an overarching sense of serene piety.

In the background, a lush, tranquil landscape spreads out, painted with soft, curved lines typical of Denis’s style. The color palette predominantly consists of gentle greens, warm earth tones, and pale blue skies, invoking a sense of pastoral tranquility. The undulating hills and a suggestion of water or a distant horizon add depth to the scene. The foliage and flora are depicted with stylized, almost abstract forms, reinforcing the dream-like quality of the environment. The trees and bushes are not mere botanical representations but act as symbols within this sanctified vision.

A golden-tinted haze suffuses the canvas, creating an illuminated effect that imparts an otherworldly glow to the entire composition. The source of this light remains ambiguous, suggesting an inner or divine illumination rather than a natural daylight scene.

Maurice Denis (1870–1943) was a pivotal figure within the Symbolist movement and a founding member of the Nabis, a group of avant-garde Post-Impressionist painters. His work is characterized by a lyrical, spiritual quality and a distinctive decorative style that often merged religious themes with modernist aesthetics.

"It was a religious mystery" was painted during a period when Denis was deeply engrossed in exploring the intersections of religious and personal symbolism. The use of religious themes reflects his devout Catholic faith, which strongly influenced his work throughout his career. The painting exemplifies Denis's belief in art as a means to convey transcendental experiences and his unique approach to flattening the pictorial space, a technique he adopted to stress the spiritual over the physical.

The original painting is housed in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris, which holds an extensive collection of Denis's works and other masterpieces of the Symbolist and Post-Impressionist movements. The Musée d'Orsay’s dedication to preserving and presenting works from the late 19th century makes it a fitting home for this piece, allowing viewers to appreciate Denis's contribution within the broader context of avant-garde art of his time.

Denis’s religious works, including "It was a religious mystery," are well-regarded for their meditative qualities and their ability to infuse everyday scenes with spiritual reverence. His work has influenced both contemporaneous and later artists who sought to express the ineffable through the visual language of symbolism and abstraction.