The son of a ship's captain from Venice, Italy, Carlo Grubacs (or Grubac) attended the Academy of Fine Arts from 1818 and 1822. He participated in exhibitions presented by the Fine Arts in 1847, 1854, 1855, 1858, and 1864. Carlo Grubacs painted characteristic Venetian views: Piazza San Marco, La Piazzetta, La Riva degli Schiavoni, Il Ponte di Realto, and others.

His sons Giovanni and Marco followed in the footsteps of their father also receiving wide recognition for their renderings of Venice city views.