Longhi was born in December 1890 in
Alba, Piedmont to parents from
Emilia. He studied with Pietro Toesca, in
Turin, and Adolfo Venturi in Rome. The latter made him book reviews editor of the journal ''L'Arte
in 1914. Between 1912 and 1917, Longhi, primarily an essayist, published texts in L'Arte
and La Voce'' on
Mattia Preti,
Piero della Francesca,
Orazio Borgianni and
Orazio Gentileschi. In 1968 he authored a monograph on the artist. Whilst establishing himself as a notable Caravaggio scholar, Longhi retained a lively interest in Piero della Francesca, editing a monograph in 1928, representing him as the leading painter of the
Quattrocento. Longhi believed Piero della Francesca played a decisive role in the development of Venetian painting. This monograph, which
Kenneth Clark opined could hardly be improved upon, established itself as a classic of art-historical literature. Between 1920 and 1922, Longhi made a
Grand Tour of Europe. He never visited Russia, nor some American collections, like the
Kress Collection of the
National Gallery, Washington. However, his first-hand viewing of many works, like those in the
Borghese Gallery in
Rome, led to the rediscovery of many lost masterpieces such as two panels of a
Giotto altarpiece. Longhi also rekindled interest in a large number of followers of Caravaggio, such as
Hendrick ter Brugghen (he edited a monograph in 1927) and some painters from
Ferrara. His book
Officina Ferrarese (1934) still stands as an exemplary study. Along with the publication of the
Officina, Longhi started his academic career, first as Professor at
Bologna University (from 1935), and later in Florence. == Role in Nazi art looting ==