[1] While there, he joined a group of Spanish painters who met at the Antico Caffè Greco, including Luis Álvarez Catalá, Dióscoro Puebla, José Casado del Alisal, Eduardo Rosales, Benet Mercadé, Marià Fortuny and Alejo Vera.

[1] A year later, he settled in Paris and specialized in creating "tableautins"; small format paintings on amusing or pleasant themes designed to be hung in the home.

[1] He returned to Madrid in 1894 when he was appointed Director of the Museo del Prado, a position he would hold until his death.

[1] Following a Royal directive, he set up a commission (consisting of himself, the Secretary and the museum's curators) to examine donated works and decide whether to accept or reject them, pursuant to maintaining the quality of the collection.

To help prevent fires, the employee's living quarters were moved to a new extension, built under the direction of architect Fernando Arbós y Tremanti.