 He began to study painting in 1841 in Udine and then continued his studies at the Accdademia di Belle Arti in Venice with Ludovico Lipparini, Michelangelo Grigoletti and Odorico Politi.In 1845 he won a first prize for artistic invention which earned him an annual subsidy from the city of Cividale.After he completed his studies, he specialized as a painter of historical works, altarpieces and portraits.