He then moved to Brescia to live with his mother, who worked in wool looms.
He at first practised wood-engraving, but afterwards studied painting under Antonio Dusi of Brescia and then, with Francesco Monti (Bologna).
[2] He settled at Brescia in 1773, and in 1810 became professor of drawing in the Art academy of that city.
Among Cattaneo's pupils are Domenico Vantini, Luigi Basiletti, Antonio Manenti,[3] and Carlo Frigerio.
Professor Romualdo Turini of Salò was a pupil and his biographer.