Background
His first studies were with his father, João Tomás da Fonseca, who was a painter and sculptor.
His first studies were with his father, João Tomás da Fonseca, who was a painter and sculptor.
He then worked at the "Aula de Desenho e de Figura e História", founded by Joaquim Manuel da Rocha (1727-1786). In 1878, when he was in his 80s, he returned to do restorative work. In 1825, he painted curtains for the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, followed by a portrait of King Pedro IV. Supported by the King and Count Quintela, he was able to go to Rome, where he made copies of the Old Masters and completed his artistic training with Vincenzo Camuccini and Andrea Pozzi.
He also spent time in London and Paris and, when he returned in 1836, he was appointed a Professor of history painting at the "Academia de Belas-Artes" (now part of the University of Lisbon).
In 1838, he designed costumes for a play by Almeida Garrett and did set designs for the opera Robert le diable by Giacomo Meyerbeer. Together with the lithographer, Maurício José Sendim (1786-1870), he created illustrations for the Quadros históricos by António Feliciano de Castilho.
He continued to exhibit frequently, culminating in 1880 at a major exhibition in the "Palácio de Cristal" in Porto.