Through his compositions, Parra conveyed themes and narratives that demonstrated the changes in Mexican culture he experienced or observed during his time in the academy and critical world, providing a glimpse into history and shifting society from his perspective.

[7] For the next four years, Parra studied in France and Italy before returning to Mexico in 1882, at which time he took a position as a professor of ornament drawing at the National School of Fine Arts.

[4] A pupil in the field of academic painting, Parra attended the college for three years before moving on to the Academy of San Carlos, located in Mexico City, in 1864.

[4] Two years later, in 1873, one of his most notable pieces, Galileo Demonstrating the New Astronomical Theories at the University of Padua, an oil painting done on canvas, was put on display.

[4] Finally, in 1877, Parra put on display Episodes of Conquest: The Massacre of Cholula, a work that would significantly impact the coming years of his life.

[4] His historic academic painting portraying Cortés and his conquest across Mexico, ravaging native culture in the process, earned Parra a scholarship from the university to travel across the Atlantic Ocean and to continue his artistic education in Europe.

At the conclusion of his ventures in 1882, Parra decided to return home to his native Mexico and took a position as a professor of ornamentation at the National School of Fine Arts.

[10] His role at the artistic institution was his primary focus and sole professional occupation from 1882 until 1909, at which time he began working at the National Museum on top of continuing his duties as a professor.

[4] Despite removing himself from art education, he continued to engage with his artistic endeavors, producing the aforementioned Still Life with Saucepans in 1917, his final known artwork before his passing in 1919.

While the light of the piece places emphasis on Cortes’ figure in the center of the painting, there are other key details that guide the narrative and convey the message of the work.