Painting the Weight of a Nation
Reflections on the Portrait of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the Next Chapter of My Artistic Journey
Portrait of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa by Gus Romano
Oil on canvas
150 x 100 cm
2025
In 2025, I made a decision that felt both bold and inevitable: to paint the highest political figure in Portugal. A painting that wasn't requested, commissioned, or sponsored — but simply born from a place of deep admiration, artistic maturity, and national identity.
The result is “The Weight of Thought”, a large-scale oil portrait of the current President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t paint just to practice. This portrait marks the beginning of a new chapter — one where every painting must carry weight, meaning, and intentionality. From now on, every work I create will belong to a future collection that I envision being shown one day in an exhibition that gathers the essence of what I want to express as an artist.
The Beginning of a Professional Chapter
Up until now, I see most of my previous paintings as a necessary journey of experimentation and discipline. But something changed this year. I felt it was time to stop “just painting” and start crafting portraits that tell stories, hold cultural weight, and are rooted in real people — preferably Portuguese.
I no longer want to work from random references found online. Instead, I’m committed to painting from photographs I’ve taken myself, from expressions I’ve witnessed, and from energy I’ve felt in person. The painting of President Marcelo is the first step in that commitment.
Why Marcelo?
Painting Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa wasn’t an easy choice. It's not common to start a new artistic direction by portraying the President of the Republic. But in many ways, it made perfect sense.
Despite the formality of his position, Marcelo has always struck me as a president of affections. A figure of closeness. Someone who carries the gravitas of leadership with the accessibility of a professor, a grandfather, a citizen. His warmth reminded me of something my grandmother used to tell me:
“Amor e carinho tudo vencem.”
(Love and care conquer all.)
His presidency began on January 24, 2016 — a date I remember well, because it was the first time I could vote in a presidential election. I had turned 18 in 2011, just after the previous election, and so my first presidential vote ever was for Marcelo. And since then, he’s been my President.
As his second and final term slowly approaches its conclusion, I felt inspired to capture this particular moment — a moment of reflection. The result is a portrait that blends institutional gravity with intimate contemplation.
About the Painting
The composition is inspired by the majestic figures of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the sculpture of The Thinker by Auguste Rodin. Marcelo sits in a moment of stillness, hand raised to his temple, embodying the tension between thought and responsibility.
His tie, painted in expressive textures, holds deeper meaning — decorated with sunflowers over a blue background, inspired by Portuguese handcrafted textile patterns. The sunflowers evoke a gentler side of leadership: compassion, empathy, and emotional strength.
Technically, the painting was developed using classical oil methods: first laying earth tones and ochres, then building depth through glazes and impastos, drawing from Flemish masters. After the first layer I try to add my style inspired by impressionists and add thick layers of paint giving textures and expression to the painting. The dark background draws the eye to the face and hands, reinforcing the emotional and symbolic weight of the piece.
This is not an official portrait. It’s a personal one — and a piece I’ve created for my future collection. If the opportunity arises to present it formally to the President, I would be honored. But regardless of where it ends up, this portrait already holds a place of meaning in my body of work.
Looking Ahead
My focus now is clear: I want to create portraits of Portuguese figures, people I admire and connect with, to build a collection that reflects not only who we are as a nation — but who we are in moments of vulnerability, strength, and truth.
And this is just the beginning.
