He was instructed in painting by Francesco Mancini, and studied at Rome from 1734 to 1749, and worked subsequently at Venice and Forlì in a style recalling Carlo Cignani.
He distinguished himself as a fresco-painter. He was, however, a better teacher than artist. He was erudite and wrote extensively including Descrizione della cupola d"Assisi, Catalogo ragionato delle pitture della chiesa di Pesaro, and a book on Pittura.
He was a professor at the academy of Pesaro from 1753.
Among his pupils were Pietro Marchioretto. The square outside the Teatro Rossini in Pesaro is named after him.