Araujo was born in La Mancha and worked as a copyist at the Prado Museum, where he frequently studied and replicated works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, and Van Dyck. His dedication to mastering classical techniques led him to Rome, where he further refined his artistic training.

In 1880, after a period in France, Araujo became actively involved in the artistic and cultural scene. He joined the Círculo de Bellas Artes and participated in its first exhibition that same year. In 1881, after a decade-long absence, he returned to the National Exhibition, presenting paintings depicting Sevillian customs—a theme that would become central to his work throughout the decade.

Araujo’s paintings often captured popular figures a
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