As a young man, he preferred painting to sculpture, enrolling in 1856 first in the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, and then in the Academy of Fine Arts of Milan. In 1859, to avoid conscription into the Austrian army, he fled Venice. By the next year in 1860, he tried to join with the forces of Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) in his Expedition of the Thousand.
As a young artist, his preference was for painting over sculpture, enrolling in 1856 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice and later at the School of Fine Arts in Milan. In 1859, to avoid military service, he fled from Venice. By 1860, he attempted to join Garibaldi's expedition.