He was born in Rome to Pietro and Maria Agnelletti; his father worked for the Giustiniani family. This helped him access in 1837 to studies at the Accademia San Luca of Rome.
He was born in Rome to Pietro and Maria Agnelletti; his paternal connection with the Giustiniani family provided him with opportunities for education at the Accademia San Luca of Rome in 1837.