Lorenzo Lotto was one of the first great artists of Venice of the High Renaissance to see the art of central Italy and Rome. He normally worked in the provincial towns of northern Italy. After short stays in Florence and Bergamo, in about 1526 Lotto returned to Venice, where he produced some highly original works. In 1552 he sought refuge at the Sanctuary of the Holy House in Loretto. Two years later he became a lay member.