Henrique Campos Cavalleiro was born on March 15, 1892, in the old Federal District , now Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Son of Mr. José Campos Cavalleiro and D. Beatriz Augusta Barcelos Cavalleiro, he started his artistic career at the old National School of Fine Arts in 1907 , having as master Eliseu Visconti and Zeferino da Costa . His course at the National School of Fine Arts is marked by the obtaining of awards that are difficult to obtain from the severe teachers: Silver medal in painting in 1911 and gold medals in painting and drawing of a living model in 1912 . Obtained, by contest, a travel award to theEurope in 1918 , dedicating himself then to specialized studies of decorative art and illustration. Represented Brazil, perfecting himself with André Decheneau, at the Julian Academy in Paris . In the French capital, he participated in the French Artists’ Salons in 1923 and in the National Society of Fine Arts in 1923 and 1924 , returning to Brazil two years later. He held solo exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro , at Galeria Jorge, in 1925, and also in São Paulo . In 1930 he returned to Europe at the “L’Amerique Latine” Exhibition at the Galliéra Museum, in Paris , in 1924 , sending three works. In 1938 , Cavalleiro marries visual artist, painter and designer Yvonne Visconti Cavalleiro, daughter of Eliseu Visconti , with whom he had two children: Eliseu Visconti Cavalleiro, filmmaker , and Leonardo Visconti Cavalleiro, designer .