Lucioni was born in Italy, and at age 11 came to the United States with his family. Lucioni became interested in art as a young boy and in 1915 he entered an art competition, which earned him entrance into attend Cooper Union in New York. While studying art, Lucioni became a pupil of Starkweather and in 1920 continued education at the National Academy of Design under William Auerbach Levy. Lucioni also learned etching techniques, although he would favor painting throughout his career.

In the early 1920s Lucioni earned a fellowship that sent him to Europe.  Early Renaissance painting became Lucioni’s greatest interest. It was when he returned to his native Italy that he learned the precision of realism, through the techniques of foreshortening and modeling. Upon returning to America, Lucioni began painting landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. While he used the bold palette of the Modern painters of his day, Lucioni’s subjects were always highly realistic representations of the world around him. During the Great Depression he focused on the American landscape much like Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood. Representing the parched land and depraved people of a nation in dire need, Lucioni’s meticulously painted scenes are beautiful yet devastating.

 Lucioni was well regarded throughout his career. He taught at the Art Students' League in New York and his studio was located in the West Village.  Lucioni was a member of the Society of American Etchers (Brooklyn), and the Allied Art Association.  He is best known for his highly realistic depictions of America. His paintings are included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Museo Italoamericano, San Francisco, California; San Diego Museum of Art, California; among others.