In 1884, his painting of the Battle of Orsha earned him a scholarship from the (National Department), an executive panel elected by the Diet of Galicia and Lodomeria. Two years later, he used part of that money to go to Paris, where he studied with Jean-Paul Laurens. During this time, he began painting portraits. He also worked as an illustrator for "L'Illustration" and "Le Figaro Illustré" and exhibited at the Salon. In 1888, he married a French painter named Louise Marie Barat.