Maria Helena Vieira da Silva
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (1908 - 1992) was a Portuguese abstract painter known for her leading contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement. In 1928, she moved to Paris and...
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (1908 - 1992) was a Portuguese abstract painter known for her leading contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement. In 1928, she moved to Paris and studied painting with Fernand Léger, sculpture with Antoine Bourdelle, and engraving with Stanley William Hayter. During this time in Paris, she became inspired by the works of Impressionist painter, Pierre Bonnard, and began to exhibit her own abstract paintings. Aside from a brief period in Lisbon and Brazil during World War II, Vieira da Silva resided in Paris for the rest of her life. Vieira da Silva is known for her dense and complex compositions with fragmented forms reminiscent of cityscapes. From 1970 until her death in 1992, Vieira da Silva shifted her artistic pursuits to tapestry work. A large number of her works are at the Árpád Szenes-Vieira da Silva Foundation.