Born in Ferrara, Italy in 1842, the eighth of thirteen children, Boldini received his initial training from his father, a painter and restorer. In 1862, Boldini attended the Accademia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts) in Florence. From his earliest career years, Boldini displayed a remarkable talent as a portrait painter, and in 1869, during a trip to London, he was able to obtain numerous commissions including a series of frescoes in 1870. Hw was 28 years of age.

At the age of 30, in 1872, after being influenced by the Impressionists at the Paris Universelle Exposition, Boldini permanently settled in Paris. There he commissioned small-scale works, concentrating on scenes of Parisian life and elegantly dressed women. Boldini frequently exhibited at the annual Salons and quickly rose to prominence in the Parisian art circles. He began to paint society portraits and developed a reputation for his elegant depictions of fashionable society women executed with bold, fluid brushstrokes that made the model appear to be thrown onto the canvas. This new style became immensely popular. By the turn of the century Boldini had become the most sought after portrait painter of the 'La Belle Epoch' in Paris. He was renowned for his unique style and as a technician of color. His works are considered very much Parisian.

Boldini became international famous. Although he remained essentially Paris-based, he did make trips to paint society women, most notably Lina Cavalieri and Marchesa Luisa Casati. He also enjoyed portrait painting other artists such as James Whistler, John Singer Sargent, Paul-Cesar Helleu and his close friend Edgar Degas, who taught Boldini to use pastels in the 1880's.

Giovanni Boldini died in Paris 1931, at the age of 86. He will always be remembered for his unique bold techniques and the glamorous position in the history of portraiture.