He was born in Reggio Emilia, and attended the Reggio Emilia School of Fine Arts in 1850 and 1851.
Chierici continued his studies at the academies of Modena and Florence before completing his training in Bologna under the guidance of Giulio Cesare Ferrari.
His early work was in Italy influenced by the Neo-classicism of his uncle, the artist Alfonso Chierici and of Adeodato Malatesta, but subsequently by the innovations of the Macchiaioli painters🎨.