Federico Gariboldi studied in Genoa at the Accademia Ligustica with Giuseppe Viazzi and exhibited a portrait for the first time at the Promotrice genovese at the age of fifteen. He later participated in many Brera Biennials and held two personal exhibitions in Varese where he moved at the beginning of the century, becoming an active promoter of local cultural life. Gariboldi especially favored pastel, creating delicate portraits and sober views. He also devoted himself to engraving, etching and monotype.