While still attending the classes at the Royal Academy of San Fernando, he painted his first picture, The Resurrection of Christ (1829), which was purchased by Queen Christina.

Not long afterwards he painted Achilles in his Tent, and subsequently presented to the academy The Continence of Scipio, which secured him admission as a member "for merit".

In 1837 he was commissioned to produce a picture for the gallery at Versailles, and painted "Godfrey de Bouillon proclaimed King of Jerusalem".

Then he painted Maria Christina in the Dress of a Nun by the Bedside of Ferdinand III (1843), Queen Isabella, The Duchess of Medinaceli, and The Countess de Vilches (1845–47), besides a number of portraits of the Spanish aristocracy, some of which were sent to the exhibition of 1855.

Three years after his father left office, he also became Director of the Museo del Prado and president of the Academy of San Fernando.