Ugo Celada da Virgilio was born in Mantua, in Cerese. From an early age he emerged as a talented designer, attending the School of Arts and Crafts. Thanks to the excellent results he obtained a scholarship that allowed him to enroll at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, where he was a student of the painter Cesare Tallone. In 1920 Celada exhibited at the Venice Biennale, signing his works with the stage name of Ugo Celada da Virgilio. The Venetian experience was repeated also in 1924, in 1926 and in 1936. Thanks to his original art, which moves between the Magic Realism and the New Objectivity, he was enjoying considerable success. He was approached by Gregorio Sciltian, Antonio Donghi and Cagnaccio di San Pietro.