Born in Milan, Austrian Empire, he had his initial training in the studios of Antonio Tantardini and a sculptor called Puttinati.
The sculptor Enrico Cassi was one of his pupils.
Barzaghi completed a number of monuments, including the bronze equestrian statued dedicated to Napoleon III, first unveiled in 1881 at the Exposition of Milan.
He also made monuments to Luciano Manara and Garibaldi (1888).
He made many marble female figures, including:[1]