Career
While born in France, he trained in Parma, and participated with the Alejandro Malaspina circumnavigation mission. He was the son of Gian Francesco, an engraver from Duchy of Parma, and Giovanni studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Parma. Along with the painter Ferdinando Brambilla, he joined the Spanish-funded Malaspina ship in Acapulco in 1791.
After the expedition returned to Spain, Ravenet continued to rework the sketches made during the trip.
When Malaspina fell out of favor with the royal Bourbon administration, Ravenet"s fortunes were difficult. He had to move to France for some years.
His sketches from the trip were never published until years after his death.