Son and disciple of well-known flower painter Juan de Arellano, he imitated his father so well that many of his works have been attributed to him, although José is less masterful. His brushstrokes are dryer and less dissolved and his colors, more muted (Sánchez del Peral, J. R. in Enciclopedia del Museo Nacional del Prado, 2006, vol II, p. 409).