His father was a freed slave born in Puerto Rico and his mother was a native of the Canary Islands so he was considered to be mulato.

[3] His father was a gilder[4] who restored and painted religious statues, and had an influence on the young Campeche's interest in the arts.

Campeche was trained by Luis Paret y Alcázar, a Spanish court painter banished from Spain.

[2][5][6] Campeche distinguished himself with his paintings related to religious themes and of governors and other important figures.

His works of art can be found in museums, churches and chapels, such as Capilla del Cristo in San Juan, and in private collections in Puerto Rico and Venezuela.