Originally from Genoa, he introduced the technique of modern mosaic art to Catalonia when he settled in Barcelona in 1884.

He worked with the architect L. Domènech i Montaner on the Palau de la Música Catalana (1905-1908; Palau de la Música, 4-6) and on the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (1902-1930; Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167), and with J. Puig i Cadafalch, with whom he designed the mosaic of Casa Macaya (1899-1901; Passeig de Sant Joan, 108). Other works by him include the mosaics of the former Casa Figueres (1902; Rambla, 83; now the Escribà cakeshop).

He also set up a workshop in Madrid, which closed in 1931, as did the one in Barcelona, where he had designed mosaics for the rest of Spain.