Education
Susinno writes that he had a humanistic education. He studied history and could read Latin.
Susinno writes that he had a humanistic education. He studied history and could read Latin.
Rodriguez" career was first recorded by Francesco Susinno in his Le vite de" pittori messinessi, dated 1724. Alonzo was born in Messina, the son of a Spanish Captain of Cavalry, who had three sons who were painters. He studied Veronese, Tintoretto and Titian.
He became a proficient imitator of Titian, so much so that he was accused of forgery and removed himself to Rome.
From Rome he went to Naples. By 1614 he was back in Messina, where he enjoyed success, turning out paintings in the style of the Venetian School and of Caravaggio.
Alonzo"s style of painting eventually went out of fashion and he fell on hard times. His lack of success and embittered old age earned him few followers, and these were of small importance.
Susinno mentions only Jacopo Imperatrice (ca 1592-1680), Placido Saltamacchia and Pietro Sollima.
Rodriguez died in Messina of fever on 22 April 1648.