His grandfather, the sculptor and decorative artist, Jean Baptiste Charlemagne-Baudet, was originally from Rouen and had come to Russia to work for Catherine the Great.

His first paintings after returning were for the Page Corps, followed by ceiling murals at the Meshchersky family mansion in Moscow.

[2] In 1867, his portrayal of Catherine the Great in the workshop of Étienne Maurice Falconet earned him the title of Professor.

For the next twenty years, he worked prolifically to supply the demand for his images; many of which became illustrations in magazines.

From 1871, he worked for the Federal State Unitary Enterprise, designing securities, bonds and other negotiables.