Born in Paris, the son of a court architect, Charles studied painting at the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture under François-André Vincent.

Winning second prize in the prix de Rome for Joseph recognised by his brothers in 1789, he won first prize in 1791 for Regulus returns to Carthage.

He received a second prize at the Concours of Year II for The 12 July 1789.

After giving up history painting for decorative subjects for a time, in 1798 he produced Augereau on the bridge at Arcole, the first in a series of paintings glorifying the Empire.

On his return to Paris, he was elected a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1825, then named Conservateur of the Cabinet des estampes in the Bibliothèque nationale.