Born in Genoa, Carlo studied at the Academia Ligustica, and became a pupil of Emanuele Tagliafichi. Like his brother, Antonio Baratta, Carlo was a scenic designer. He also frescoed palaces and chapels; and painted altarpieces, as for the church of Santa Maria del Suffragio in Genoa. He also painted for various churches in Chiavari. With his older contemporary Giovanni David he was one of the last major protagonist in the history of Genoese painting.