He initially studied classical education, but abandoned studies to take a job as director of a textile mill in Brianza, then moved to Asti as secretary of a wealthy family.
At age 19 he enrolled as a student of Brera Academy, where he stayed for seven years.
His painting Valentina was purchased by the Lottery Commission of Milan in 1881.
The same year he executed a portrait of the painter Mantegna, reproduced in fresco for the lunettes of the Brera, a work that won the Mylius Prize.
[1] He painted numerous portraits including of Giuseppe Rattazzi, Antonia Longhi, Antonietta Bianchi, Giuseppe Lertora, Luigi Giannetti, Pietro Felice Sales, and Teresa Scaccabarozzi San Pietro[2]