in 1833, he enrolled in the institute of fine arts of ravenna, his birthplace, under ignazio sarti. he was fired after an angry outburst where he destroyed one of his incomplete works at the eve of the yearly exhibition. with the help of the cardinal legate of the city, luigi amat, he was readmitted to the academy. with a stipend from the academy, he moved to florence and worked under the mentorship (1845-1851) of giovanni duprè. enrico opened a studio on via dei maccheroni with fellow artist from ravenna, luigi majoli.