José Marques da Silva

José Marques da Silva (Oporto, 1869-1949) was one of the most important Portuguese architects of the first half of the 20th century. His architecture, eclectic and Parisian in origin, spread throughout northern Portugal, but is above all fundamental to the understanding of the physiognomy of Oporto, a city he left an indelible mark on. His work reflects a reforming conviction and a refined knowledge of the place.

Marques da Silva’s training began at the Academia Portuense de Belas Artes, and he continued his studies in Paris, where he attended the École Nationale et Spéciale des Beaux-Arts and the renowned Victor Laloux studio. There he was awarded the title of Diplomate Architect by the French Government in 1896, with his project for the Oporto Central Station (the future S. Bento station).

As a liberal architect, he developed a vast body of work, including major public facilities and buildings with a strong urban impact, such as the aforementioned São Bento Station (1896), the S. Torcato Sanctuary (1896), the headquarters of the Sociedade Martins Sarmento (1899), the building “As 4 Estações” (1905), the Monument to the Heroes of the Peninsular War (1909), the São João National Theatre (1909), his own Studio House (1909) the Grandes Armazéns Nascimento (1914), the Alexandre Herculano (1914) and Rodrigues de Freitas (1918) High Schools, the National Insurance Headquarters and the Pinto Leite Building (1919-1922), on Avenida dos Aliados, and Casa de Serralves (1925).

José Marques da Silva fought for the affirmation of the architectural profession and held several important positions in commissions, associations and public institutions, having even been a municipal architect at the beginning of his long career. But he is also distinguished for having played an important pedagogical role in several generations of architects who attended his studio and the Fine Arts School of Oporto, where he served as Director on severeal coccasions.