Cesare Felice Giorgio Dell'Acqua was born in Piran (or Pirano d'Istria), near Trieste, the son of Andrea and Caterina Lengo.

From 1842 until 1847 he attended the Venice Academy of Fine Arts where he studied with Ludovico Lipparini, Odorico Politi and Michelangelo Grigoletti.

In around 1848, he moved to Brussels where his brother Eugenio lived and where he continued his studies with Louis Gallait, who became a major influence on his work.

He also painted two works for the Greek Orthodox Church of Trieste; The Sermon of John in the Dessert which was so highly acclaimed that he was awarded town citizenship in 1851.

[3] In addition to historical themes, Dell' Acqua also painted many female subjects dressed in traditional Greek and oriental costume.