[1] His father owned arable land, and traded in wines;[2] his family was of Jewish origin, of comfortable economic conditions.
[3] In 1910 he went to Paris, where Modigliani also resided: the latter brought him into contact with the Parisian art environment, and Bolaffio met and was inspired by Matisse, Cézanne, and Gauguin.
[3] After spending a period in Trieste after returning from Paris, in 1912 Bolaffio decided to embark as a fireman on the ships of the Lloyd Triestino and made numerous trips, reaching Asia.
[3] Bolaffio was then called to arms at the outbreak of the First World War, and took part in the entire conflict, remaining deeply shocked.
[3] He made numerous portraits of illustrious personalities of the day, including Umberto Saba, Dario De Tuoni and Ruggero Rovan.