Chico da Silva Brazilian, 1910-1985

Francisco Domingos "Chico" da Silva (1910-1985) was a Brazilian painter renowned for his vibrant and fantastical works, deeply rooted in the cultural and natural richness of the Amazon. Self-taught, he gained national and international fame through his unique style, blending naive art and modernism.

 

Born in Acre state, northwestern Brazil, Chico da Silva grew up in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This early immersion in a lush natural environment profoundly influenced his artistic imagination. Boat trips with his father, a boatman, along Amazonian rivers allowed him to discover an incredible diversity of fauna and flora, which would become the primary subjects of his canvases.

 

Chico da Silva's work is characterized by a dreamlike and colorful universe, populated by mythological creatures, hybrid animals, and lush vegetation. His compositions are often complex and detailed, revealing great technical mastery. The vivid colors and organic forms create a magical yet unsettling atmosphere.

 

Chico da Silva is considered one of the first Brazilian artists of indigenous origin to achieve international recognition. His works are present in numerous public and private collections worldwide. He is also one of the most important representatives of Brazilian naive art, an artistic movement that values spontaneous expression and the artist's imagination.