Mario Cavaglieri was born in 1887 in Rovigo, Italy. He was born into a Jewish family whose native town was Venice. When he was nine the entire family moved to Padova and Cavaglieri was made to study Classics even though he showed a love of drawing and painting that led to him having private lessons. In 1906 he enrolled at the Faculty of Law at Padova University, but his interest in painting continued and he began to study under the artist Giovanni Vianello. It was in his atelier that he had the opportunity to meet Felice Casorati and later he took part in lessons given by Cesare Laurenti in Padova.

In 1907 he abandoned his studies and devoted his time entirely to painting. He was especially drawn to the theme ...