This painting is part of the We ART the Champions series, which explores the timeless pursuit of excellence through the juxtaposition of classical statues and contemporary sports. Inspired by Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s The Rape of Proserpina (1621-1622), it reinterprets the figure of Pluto, the god of the underworld, replacing Proserpina with an American football.

The composition symbolizes the crushing pressure of expectations in competitive sports. The once-mighty Pluto—now a football player—struggles beneath the weight of relentless demands, his face partially engulfed by the ball. Despite countless victories, the pursuit of success becomes a prison, where ambition overshadows personal well-being.

The textured white stucco of Pluto’s head and the football contrasts sharply against the contemporary background: bold vertical yellow and orange stripes on a seaweed green base, bringing energy and modernity to the piece. The painting (40×60 cm) is created using gesso, acrylics, and stucco and is finished with a double layer of protective varnish against UV rays.

Through this work, I invite viewers to reflect on the true cost of greatness and the importance of finding balance between achievement and self-preservation.

Stucco, Acrylic and Gesso on Canvas
2025
40 W x 60 H x 1.7 D cm | 15,7 W x 23,6 H x 0.67 D inches