Emilio Sanchez-Perrier studied at the school of Fine Arts in Seville and later at the school of Fine Arts in Madrid. In 1871, he lived in Granada with Martin Rico, where he became friends with Mariano Fortuny. In 1879, he lived in Paris and studied at the studios of Auguste Bolard, Jean Leon Gerome and Felix Ziem.

He exhibited in various group exhibitions: In 1878 at the exhibition of the National Fine Arts Society of Madrid; in 1879 at the Cadiz regional exhibition, where he was awarded a gold metal; and from 1880 at the Salon des Artistes Francais, receiving a commendation in 1886 and a silver metal at the Exposition Universelle of 1889. He was made a member of the Seville Fine Art Academy.

Sanchez-Perrier painted landscapes, genre, architectures, and water scenes, many of them in a romantic, atmospheric style. He is best known for his scenic paintings of Venice, which feature intimate views as well as large vistas of this iconic European city.