Chico Da Silva

CHICO DA SILVA (Brazil, ca. 1910-1985).
"Fantastic animal", 1975.
Acrylic on canvas.
Signed and dated.
Measurements: 33.5 x 23 cm; 36.5 x 27 cm (frame).

The work on tender is especially representative of Chico da Silva's style, as it brings together many of the elements that characterize his artistic production: a fantastic creature inspired by the Amazonian fauna, vibrant and contrasting colors, a meticulous decoration based on repetitive patterns and a composition that combines reality and imagination. The dark background enhances the chromatic intensity of the main figure and the stylized vegetation that surrounds it, creating a magical and exuberant universe that reflects the artist's unique imaginary.

Chico da Silva was a self-taught painter of indigenous origin, recognized as one of the most important figures of naïf art in Latin America. Discovered in the 1940s by the Swiss critic Jean-Pierre Chabloz while he was making drawings on the walls of Fortaleza, he developed an unmistakable style characterized by fantastic creatures, exotic birds, fish, dragons and scenes inspired by the Amazon jungle and Brazilian folklore, all depicted with intense colors and great richness of detail. His work reached international renown, received recognition at the 1966 Venice Biennale and today is part of important collections and museums around the world.