He blended abstraction, expressionism, and surrealism, but maintained a style that was "distinctively Ethiopian.
"[2] As part of Emperor Haile Selassie's education program, Agegnehu was granted a government scholarship to study at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France from 1926 to 1933.
[2] After his return from Europe, Agegnehu held many art exhibitions.
He also worked on commissions for military uniforms, birr currency designs, church murals and portraits.
[2] He died of unknown causes in 1950, shortly after finishing the painting Twelve Donkeys.