He was born in Possagno, Italy. His family had for generations been stone cutters, and he learned to cut marble at a very early age. When only twelve years old he modeled a lion in butter, that was so liked by Signor Falieri that he sent him to be taught by Torretti, the most noted sculptor of the time.
He studied ancient art and made many statues of classical subjects, as well as many monuments, busts and statues of living people, among them Napoleon and George Washington.
The large fortune which he made was mostly spent in helping the poor, or in assisting other artists.
He was made a nobleman and received many honors.
He died in Venice at age sixty-five and was buried in the town he was born.
