Biography

Francisco Domingos da Silva, known as Chico da Silva, was a Brazilian painter born around 1910 and passed away on December 6, 1985. Despite being illiterate throughout his life, Chico da Silva began his artistic journey in the late 1930s by drawing on the walls of shacks in Praia Formosa, Fortaleza, using materials like charcoal and chalk. His work caught the attention of Swiss painter Jean-Pierre Chabloz, who introduced him to gouache and paper, helping to bring his work to a broader audience in Europe. Chico da Silva's art is characterized by vibrant depictions of fantastical creatures such as dragons, flying fish, and birds, executed in flat colors without depth. His style has been variously classified as primitive, naïve, and folk art. He gained international recognition, representing Brazil at the 33rd Venice Biennale in 1966 and participating in the 9th São Paulo Biennial. Despite his success, his work was often produced in a workshop setting, with students and relatives contributing to the pieces he would sign and sell. Today, Chico da Silva's works are held in several prestigious collections, including the Museu de Arte do Rio and Tate. His legacy continues to be celebrated, although the authorship of some works remains a topic of debate due to the collaborative nature of his production process.