He began his artistic training under the direction of Victor Meirelles then, in 1883, enrolled at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied with João Zeferino da Costa, José Maria de Medeiros [pt] and Pedro Américo.

They were themed around love of the homeland and the final one was called the "Exposition of Republican Art": celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Republic.

[1] In 1893, together with Décio Villares and Virgílio Lopes Rodrigues (1863-1944), he helped establish a movement devoted to creating a free academy of the fine arts and organized exhibitions to support the project financially.

His first major work was a monument to Marshall Floriano Peixoto, now located in the Plaza of the Republic in downtown Rio de Janeiro.

[citation needed] He also worked as an architectural restorer; most notably of the roof shield at the entrance to the chapel of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia [pt].