He studied art first at the academy of Lisbon, before moving to Rome, where he was Antonio Cavallucci's pupil.

By the age of thirteen, he had evinced such marked talent that F. de Setubal employed him as an assistant in his work for the João Ferreiras Palace.

After another two years and further study in Italy, he returned to his native country with such a great reputation that important commissions for churches and palaces were immediately entrusted to him: scriptural subjects, large historical compositions and cabinet pictures.

He designed the valuable silver service which was presented by the Portuguese nation to Wellington,[2] and a monument that was erected in 1820 in the Rossio square at Lisbon.

[1] Among his best-known pictures are the Miracle of Ourique, Prince John Reviewing the Troops at Azumbuja, and The Adoration of the Magi.