Bertini was born in Forlì. He studied in Bologna with L. Cremona and in Pisa with U. Dini , where he got his degree in 1867. In 1867 he volunteered in Garibaldi's army during the third Italian independence war. After the war he became Cremona 's assistent in Milano (1868-69). In the next years he was a teacher in high schools.

He taught higher geometry in Pisa (1875-1880), in Pavia (1880-92), and again in Pisa till 1921 when he retired.

Among his many students we can cite L. Berzolari, C. Rosati, G. Scorza, G. Fubini, G. Albanese and L. Campedelli.

Main commemorations and studies: G. Castelnuovo, Rend. della R. Acc. Nazionale dei Lincei , (6), 17, 1933, 745-748; G. Fubini, Atti della R. Acc. delle Scienze di Torino , 68, 1933, 447-453; L. Berzolari, Boll. dell'Unione Mat. Ital. , 12, 1933, 148-153; L. Berzolari, Rend. del R. Ist. Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere , (2), 66, 1933, 609-635; E. Carruccio , Dictionary of Scientific Biographies , 2, 85.