Henri Biva studied under Alexandre Nozal and Léon Tanzi (1846-1913); and in 1896, he exhibited Street in Ville-d'Avray, at Night and Roses and Wallflowers of Nice at the Exposition de Blanc et Noir. He also exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français, notably in 1900, 1903, 1904 and 1905.

For his landscapes and flowers he was awarded an honourable mention in 1892, a third-class medal in 1895, a second-class medal which put him hors-concours (out of competition selections) in 1896, and a bronze medal in 1900, in the year he was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur.