Dosso Dossi's real name was Giovanni Francesco di Niccolò di Luteri. His nickname and artist's name, by which he was known throughout his life, derived from the name of his family's estate. He is considered the most important representative of the late Renaissance in Ferrara. Nothing is known about his training. However, as his work is obviously influenced by Titian and Giorgione, he most likely completed at least part of his apprenticeship in Venice. Dossi was first documented as a painter in Mantua in 1512. From 1514, he worked as court painter for Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. In this capacity, he created paintings and decorations for the duke's residences as well as for churches, and designed festive architecture and stage sets. He often worked together with his brother Battista. The poet Ariost, who also worked at the court of Ferrara, mentions the brothers in his verse epic "Orlando Furioso", one of the most influential works in the whole of Italian literature. Dossi was extremely prolific, yet it is difficult to attribute works to him with certainty. This is partly due to the fact that it is not easy to distinguish his work from that of his brother, and, partly because the sources are not very reliable. The Duchy of Ferrara was conquered by the Papal States in 1598 and Dossi's paintings were sold. Today, his paintings are to be seen in museums all over the world.