"ADAMASTOR" - Camões’ epic Os Lusíadas
This painting is one of my most personal works — not only as an artist, but as someone profoundly moved by the emotional and symbolic weight of Portuguese history and myth.
Inspired by the legend of Adamastor, the supernatural giant from Camões’ Os Lusíadas, I turned to layered abstraction to evoke both the story and the visceral experience of facing the sublime. Rather than depict the myth literally, I sought to embody its atmosphere — a confrontation with forces greater than oneself.
The piece was created through a slow, meditative process: soft, translucent layers of acrylic, applied one at a time, each left to dry before the next was added. Dry. Layer. Dry. Layer. Repeated over and over. This disciplined rhythm allowed the work to evolve gradually, revealing a storm-scape that feels both physical and psychological — turbulent waters beneath a sky charged with energy, tension, and the haunting presence of something ancient.
At 215cm x 362cm, the scale amplifies the sensation of awe — inviting viewers to step into a mythic confrontation with nature, power, and the unknown. Acylics on 100% printed Cotton Fabric.