Vicente Palmaroli y González was the son of the painter and lithographer Cayetano Palmaroli, who introduced Vicente to painting. The latter would then go on to be taught by Federico de Madrazo. Palmaroli studied at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts and became a member of its Academy in 1872. In 1882 he was appointed director of the Spanish Academy in Rome, where he had spent long periods, as indeed he had in Naples and Florence. In 1895, he became director of the Prado Museum. He was made a Commander of the Order of Merit of Charles II and of Isabella I of Castile, and was awarded the Cross of the French Legion of Honour. He successfully pursued all genres, particularly the tableautin in the style of Mariano Fortuny, whom he equalled on occasion. As a painter of historical scenes, his The Third of May 1808 - a theme that had met with mixed reactions in Goya’s two great paintings - was acclaimed. It served Palmaroli to showcase his talent in 1871 with a relatively contained pathos. He also produced religious painting, such as the Sacra conversazione led by Saint Ildephonsus, which he painted in Rome in 1862 in homage to Isabella II of Spain and her husband. Palmaroli was awarded the Second Place Medal at the 1862 National Exhibition (National Heritage) for the painting.
Vicente Palmaroli y González was the son of the painter and lithographer Cayetano Palmaroli, who introduced Vicente to painting. The latter would then go on to be taught by Federico de Madrazo. Palmaroli studied at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts and became a member of its Academy in 1872. In 1882 he was appointed director of the Spanish Academy in Rome, where he had spent long periods, as indeed he had in Naples and Florence. In 1895, he became director of the Prado Museum. He was made a Commander of the Order of Merit of Charles II and of Isabella I of Castile, and was awarded the Cross of the French Legion of Honour. He successfully pursued all genres, particularly the tableautin in the style of Mariano Fortuny, whom he equalled on occasion. As a painter of historical scenes, his The Third of May 1808 - a theme that had met with mixed reactions in Goya’s two great paintings - was acclaimed. It served Palmaroli to showcase his talent in 1871 with a relatively contained pathos. He also produced religious painting, such as the Sacra conversazione led by Saint Ildephonsus, which he painted in Rome in 1862 in homage to Isabella II of Spain and her husband. Palmaroli was awarded the Second Place Medal at the 1862 National Exhibition (National Heritage) for the painting.