Genova, Savona, Acqui: Niccolò Longhi prima del suo trasferimento a Roma

Niccolò Longhi (1523-1578 / 1579) is mainly known for his Roman activity as a sculptor and restorer of ancient statues, but when he moved to thi -fund 1543, he had an important , career behind him. During this period he mainly worked in Genoa, in the workshop of Gian Giacomo Della Porta. Of this activity, little is known but some new documents found in the State Archives of Genoa, Massa, Milan and Savona allow to clarify the main stages. Particularly significant is the addition to his catalogue of two works, that shed new light on his brilliant skills as a sculptor: a bust in the Cathedral of Savona and a Eucharistic Tabernacle in the Cathedral of Acqui; of the latter the author proposes a reconstruction since it was dismantled, and its pieces were reused inside and outside the sacred building. Thanks to stylistic comparisons and to the information traced in local sources, the author also reconstructs the original aspect of an altar that Niccolo Longhi seems to have carved for the Cathedral of Acqui. The newly discovered documents strengthen Longhi's links with the workshop of Della Porta, supporting the hypothesis that at the time of his sojourn in Genoa Longhi had the opportunity to work for illustrious patrons such as Antonio Doria. Furthermore, they add important information to the biography of the sculptor, documenting for the first time his activity before 1538. In light of this overall reconsideration of his entire career, it is also possible to identify in the church of San Martino in Viggiù, the artist's birthplace, near Varese, the altarpiece was donated by the artist, and that bears his portrait, and the nortrait of his wife.