At the end of his studies Moya del Pino entered and won the "Premio de Roma" competition, which was modeled on the École des Beaux Arts in Paris scholarship of the same name and was awarded each year to top students for a period of study in the “eternal city.” The intention was for young painters to draw from classical sculptures in the museums, work among the ruins, and soak up the power and grace of the classical era. It proved too similar to the conservative academy in Madrid and Moya asked to be transferred to Paris instead.