Born at Milan, he first trained with his father, the prominent painter Luigi Sabatelli, who taught at the Brera Academy.

In Florence, Giuseppe became a professor in the Accademia di Belle Arti.

Among the works of Giuseppe are Christ frees a Possessed Man (Ossesso) (1828); a Joseph recounts dreams for brothers for the church of Santa Croce; and a Miracle of Sant Antonio (1832) for a church in Rimini.

He is described as: a taciturn, solitary, and pensive character, who avoided the brilliant gatherings of friends, parties, banquets, and even the sweet enticements of love.

[This quote needs a citation]Despite trying to avoid painting women, he did paint them in a Saint Filomena for San Francesco in Pisa; a Those of Samuel appears to Saul in the Cave of the Witch of Endor; and Farinata degli Uberti alla battaglia del Serchio for Nioccolo Puccini.