Amorim à Van Gogh: My Biggest Portrait and First Cover Feature on Record
In October 2024, I reached a milestone in my artistic journey—an unforgettable moment that brought together my passions for portraiture, football, and Sporting Clube de Portugal. It was the first time I was featured on the cover of Record, one of Portugal’s top sports journals, with an article titled “Amorim à Van Gogh.” Not only was it an honor to be featured, but it also allowed me to pay tribute to the person who has transformed the club I’ve supported since childhood: Coach Rúben Amorim.
Rubén Amorim by Gustavo Romano photography by Duarte Roriz
Inspiration and the Path to Painting Rúben Amorim
As a portrait artist, I’m often driven by inspiration that strikes in the moment. For me, art isn’t just about technique—it’s about capturing the essence of a person, and sometimes that can only be done when the timing feels right. As a lifelong football fan, I’ve always believed that sports reflect some of life’s greatest lessons, from learning resilience to handling both victory and defeat. Growing up in 1993, I’ve witnessed Sporting Clube de Portugal, the team I’ve loved since birth, endure long droughts and fleeting successes. In fact, I only saw them win the championship twice before 2020. By 2018, the club was in one of its lowest points, and I nearly lost hope. Then, Rúben Amorim stepped in as coach, and everything changed.
Amorim brought with him not only tactical brilliance but also an unwavering commitment to excellence and discipline that transformed Sporting. Under his guidance, the club achieved an incredible turnaround, winning two championships and becoming stronger than ever. Inspired by this remarkable change, I’d already painted a few Sporting players like Viktor Gyökeres, Hidemasa Morita, and Nuno Santos, all of whom played a key role in this new era for Sporting. But when Record approached me for an interview, I knew I needed to create something truly special—a grand tribute to the man behind Sporting’s rebirth. That’s when I decided to paint my largest portrait to date: a 1.2 x 1 meter portrait of Rúben Amorim.
Painting Ruben Amorim as an artowork
Creating the Portrait: Technique, Style, and Dedication
For this piece, I chose an impasto, alla prima style, layering thick strokes of oil paint in a way that gave the portrait depth and texture, inspired by the timeless works of Van Gogh. I wanted this painting to not only capture Amorim’s likeness but also to convey the intensity and passion he brings to the pitch. It was a tribute to his transformative impact and a thank-you to the coach who brought pride back to our club.
Painting such a large portrait was no easy feat, but I embraced the challenge, knowing it could create an impact for my interview. This was one of those rare moments where my love for art, my admiration for a figure, and an opportunity aligned perfectly. When the piece was complete, I felt I had done justice to the respect I held for Amorim and the journey he had taken Sporting on.
The Record Feature: A Surreal Moment
The interview with Record was an incredible opportunity, but I had no idea how far it would go. After the conversation, I received a call from João Soares Ribeiro, informing me that the team loved the story and wanted to feature it on the cover of the journal. To see my work and my passion for Sporting showcased so prominently was surreal. This was more than just an interview; it was a validation of the years of hard work and dedication I had poured into my art.
The article went live on October 8, 2024. Just a few weeks later, on October 31, Manchester United came to Lisbon and officially bought out Amorim’s contract, marking his departure from Sporting. The timing was bittersweet. I felt a deep sense of loss for Sporting, knowing that Amorim was leaving just as we were enjoying an incredible season. With nine wins in nine games, I dreamed of seeing him lead us to another championship and cement his legacy at Sporting. Despite the sadness, I couldn’t help but feel proud, knowing his talent was being recognized globally:
What This Portrait Means to Me
Creating this portrait wasn’t just about capturing a likeness; it was about documenting a moment in time for Sporting and paying homage to a leader who brought my favorite club back to glory. The painting still hangs in my studio, and it serves as a reminder of both my love for art and my passion for Sporting. I can only hope that one day, this piece will find a home in Sporting’s museum, where it belongs alongside the history that Amorim helped shape.
Rubén Amorim by Gus Romano photography by Duarte Roriz
This experience has reaffirmed my belief that sometimes, as an artist, you have to put in the extra effort to create something truly special. It’s a reminder that hard work, combined with the right opportunity, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Looking Forward
As I continue my journey as an artist, I’ll always carry the lessons I learned from this experience. Art is about more than capturing a face on canvas; it’s about capturing a moment, a feeling, a legacy. And as much as this portrait marks an important moment for me personally, I hope it resonates with Sporting fans and art lovers alike, standing as a tribute to a transformative era for the club.
Special thanks to João Soares Ribeiro
