Luigi Archinti (1825 –Milan, February 5, 1902) was an Italian art historian, art critic, and painter.
Born to an aristocratic family inMilan. He studied at theVenetian Academy of Fine Arts (1842-1848), and then inAccademia Albertina (1850) inTurin. He frequented the Caffè della Calcina in Venice, a hangout for Italian patriots includingPietro Selvatico. In 1859, he fought with Piedmontese at thebattle of Montebello, he left Venice after theRepublic of San Marco (Venice) fell to Austrians in 1849. He then traveled through Europe.
He published criticisms and illustrations, often under pseudonyms, including the anagram of Luigi Chirtani, or Tarchini, or under the initials A. L. In the journalDiritto he publishes with his full name. His articles are described asonesti e briosi (honest and spirited). He also wrote short novels.[1]
He was a soldier and enlisted as a Bersaglierie for Vignola, and fought in Monte Pelago and Monte Pulito in the Wars of Italian Independence, later in a campaign against brigands in Calabria and Abbruzzi. In 1869 he fought and earned a silver medal at the battle of Monte Croce, and retired in 1871, with a medal of military valor, as a lieutenant ofBersaglieri. His paintings are few, and typically depict historical events or battles. In 1888, he became professor of Art History at theAccademia di Brera and member of the commission for conservation of monuments in Lombardy.
Among his books, are encyclopedic reviews of world art across the centuries such asLe meraviglie delle arti: Architettura e scultura Volume 1, co-written by Luigi Archinti (Chirtani), André Lefèvre, Louis Viardot; Editors:Fratelli Treves, Milan 1881. He also publishedDegli stili nell'architettura (1895) andLa patria di Pietro Micca (1883).[2]
