Born in Cairo in 1917, El Sagini studied sculpture at the Higher School of Fine Arts before continuing his studies in Paris and, following a scholarship in 1947, in Rome, where he received a diploma in Sculpture and Medal Arts. His work received international recognition, including Gold Medals at the 1957 International Moscow Exhibition and the International Brussels Exhibition. In 1958, he was awarded First Prize by the High Council for the Support of Arts and Literature for his sculpture of the poet Ahmad Shawky, now installed in the gardens of Villa Borghese in Rome, with another version erected in Horreya Garden in Giza. In 1977, a major exhibition of his work was organised in Spain by the Egyptian General Organization for Information.