[2] He and his brother João Timóteo da Costa (who also became a well-known painter) began their careers as apprentices at the Brazilian Mint, designing stamps and making prints.

[1] At the Mint, da Costa began his studies, taking drawing lessons and familiarizing himself with the technique of Engraving.

[4] His early artistic development was further nurtured by Italian set designer Oreste Coliva [pt].

[4] [citation needed] From 1910 onwards, after his return to Brazil, Arthur was a very prolific artist, establishing himself as a renowned painter.

[2] In the early 1920s, he began to show signs of mental illness and rapidly deteriorated to the point where he was unable to care for himself.