Alonso Ersily-i-Sunigi was the court poet of Philip II.
His career at the Spanish court, he began a page with the Crown Prince, later King Philip II.
Alonso Ersily-i-Sunigi took part in the war in Chile, known as the Araucana War. Returning to Spain, he wrote the poem “Araucana”,. This work was essentially a diary of the company, translated into a poetic form. “Araucana” is considered the most outstanding epic poem of the Spanish Renaissance and the first epic poem about America.
The portrait of El Greco’s brush depicts a middle-aged poet, crowned with a laurel wreath in recognition of his poetic talent. The viewer sees not a pampered courtier, but a stern warrior, not accustomed to flatter masters. The laurel wreath and white collar separate the face from the dark background and black attire.
An uneasy life was furrowed by the wrinkles of his poet-warrior. It seems that the perceptive eyes of the poet are read in the spectator’s soul.
It was only a few years after the end of the portrait, and in 1594 Alonso Ercily-i-Sunigi, a recognized court poet, died in poverty.
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