Autorretrato [Self-Portrait]

Born in 1865 in Rio de Janeiro, he began his artistic career as a student at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in 1880. Due to the rigor and quality of his work -- he won several prizes during his life -- Emperor Dom Pedro II himself paid for his studies in Paris, giving to the artist about $40 "mil-réis" per month until a few days before the proclamation of the Republic. Although a fine painter, Pereira da Silva also dedicated himself to drawing throughout his life, having his lines great quality. It is in painting, however, that many critics consider his masterpiece: "Samson and Delilah." He returned to Brazil in 1896 and soon moved to São Paulo, where he remained until his death. He taught at the Lyceum of Arts and Crafts, replacing Pedro Alexandrino (who was on his way to Paris), and gave classes for women of society and students interested in exploring artistic gifts, such as the brothers Mário and Dario Villares Barbosa, Afonso de Freitas, and Torquato Bassi. He died on January 13th, 1939.