Marco was born in Reggio Emilia, and studied at the art academies of Reggio Emilia and Modena, becoming a pupil of Renzo Ghiozzi (Zoren).
In Reggio Emilia, he met other painters such as Reggiani, Cesare Maccari, Felice Casorati, Corsi, Lojze Spazzapan, and Afro Libio Basaldella.
He also attended the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna in 1946, meeting Giorgio Morandi, Virgilio Guidi (companion in Venice during 1955), Mandelli, and Longhi.
He returned to Reggio Emilia in 1958 where he began his art research in the informal field.
[2][3] A community center in Reggio Emilia is named after the painter.