Rui Ribeiro brings Veloso Salgado’s iconic painting to life with original score for 3D animated film
The historic painting Vasco da Gama Before the Zamorin of Calicut, by 19th-century artist Veloso Salgado, has been reimagined as a 3D animated short film —now accompanied by a powerful original score composed by Rui Ribeiro. This cinematic adaptation is part of the travelling exhibition Vasco da Gama and India, curated by the Portuguese Maritime Museum, and breathes new life into one of Portugal’s most defining moments: Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India and his first encounter with the Zamorin of Calicut.
Directed by André Miranda and animated by Eduardo Caramujo (Corner Studio), the film transforms a static historical canvas into a dynamic audiovisual experience where music plays a central narrative role. Rui Ribeiro’s score weaves emotion and cultural nuance into the storytelling, bridging Eastern and Western sound worlds: “I wanted the music to reflect the tension, unfamiliarity, and cultural distance of that first encounter. It begins with textures and instruments inspired by Indian tradition, blended with a Western orchestral palette, and gradually builds to a heroic climax, echoing Vasco da Gama’s diplomatic finesse in a highly uncertain situation” says composer Rui Ribeiro.
The score was carefully designed to accompany the emotional arc of the film: from the mysterious and hesitant opening, to the grandeur of its resolution. Ricardo Ferreira’s sound design adds an immersive layer with subtle environmental details; the hush of the sea, ceremonial murmurs, and footsteps echoing through the grand halls, enriching the cinematic atmosphere.
Originally painted to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sea route to India, Veloso Salgado’s monumental work spans over three meters and is currently housed at the Geographical Society of Lisbon. The painting’s grand composition, rich in symbolism, served as the visual spark for this reinterpretation, now brought to life through movement, expression, and music.
After drawing thousands of visitors in cities like Viana do Castelo and Lagos (and receiving praise from Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa), the exhibition continues its journey to Sines, Vasco da Gama’s birthplace. The project stands as a vivid example of how historical art can be revitalized through contemporary media, turning history not just into a memory, but into a living experience.