Jose Antonio da Silva (1909-1996) was a renowned outsider artist from Brazil.
Da Silva grew up in the countryside of São Paulo. Much like his father, he experienced a harsh life of being a farm worker – physical labor in agriculture was taxing and unstable. As a young man, married with children, da Silva built a ranch by a stream and began drawing the humble surrounding filled with the beauty of nature and country life. In his mid-thirties, da Silva finally moved to the city and began working in restaurants.
Soon after, when he was 37, he entered a regional art show. Although untrained and unknown, he received extraordinary admiration for his talent. Art critics loved his work. From there, da Silva’s career flourished. He painted prolifically and exhibited in Brazil and around the world. In the 1950s, he participated in the São Paulo Biennale and the Venice Biennale. Da Silva became known for his stylized portraits and abstract landscapes with vibrant colors and vigorous brushstrokes. Da Silva also wrote books and music and was featured in plays and films. Throughout his life, da Silva received numerous awards and honorable recognitions.
Today, he is considered one of the most important Brazilian painters of the 20th century. His dynamic works continue to capture the audience’s hearts and are sought after by museums and private collectors in the global market. (Artist image: Guia das Artes)
Train by Jose Antonio da Silva (Brazil), Galerie Bonheur
Cotton Field
Train