Born in Venice around 1480, the young artist Lorenzo Lotto chose to move to Treviso. There Lotto formed a relationship with the humanist circle of Bishop Bernardo De Rossi from Parma, which straight away provided him with advantageous and profitable commissions. In 1508 Lotto was called to the Vatican in Rome to paint the rooms of the new apartment of Julius II. During the period between 1509 and 1516 the movements of the Venetian artist are somewhat obscure. The following decade, spent in Bergamo, was undoubtedly Lotto’s happiest and most creative period. At the end of 1525, after an absence of 20 years, he decided to return to Venice where however the rising star of Titian, with his sensuous and joyful painting, precluded the favour of the patrons towards Lotto. He died in the Marche in 1556 and was buried, at his request, in a Dominican friar’s habit. Lotto accomplished many works in the Marche, providing testimony to his genius and his remarkable personality.