Giorgio Cavaglieri

Who was Giorgio Cavaglieri?

Giorgio Cavaglieri was an Italian American architectural preservationist and painter of gouaches. His best-known work is his 1960s restoration of the Jefferson Market Library in Greenwich Village.

Born in Venice, he graduated with honors in engineering and architecture from the Politecnico di Milano. He designed buildings and airfields for the Italian government until the Fascist regime confiscated his property and made law to restrict the rights of Jewish people. He came to New York City in 1939. He joined the United States Army and traveled from Normandy to Belin, testing bridges and adapting barracks.

Upon return, he opened his own firm. Other notable preservation projects included the Astor Library and the Public Theater. In 1970, he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member, and became a full member in 1984.