Zé Damas Naive Art Folk Painting, 2002

This is an original naive-style painting by the Brazilian artist Zé Damas, dated 2002. The artwork depicts a vibrant celebratory scene, likely a Congada or similar Afro-Brazilian cultural festival. The composition features a central group of figures, with many wearing red shirts and white trousers, and many playing traditional musical instruments such as the accordion, guitar, and drums. A primary figure in white, possibly a queen, is centrally located, adorned with a sash and crown, standing alongside a male figure in ceremonial attire. The background showcases traditional colonial-style architecture with a small chapel, tiled roofs, and decorative flags (bandeirinhas) strung across the courtyard, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a blue sky with soft white clouds. The painting is executed in a folk art style characterized by flat perspectives, bold colors, and simplified anatomical details. The surface appears to be oil or acrylic on canvas or board. The piece is housed in a multi-tiered wooden frame featuring a dark-stained outer molding, a neutral linen-textured inner liner, and a thin gold-tone fillet. The artist's signature 'Zé Damas' and the year '2002' are clearly visible in the lower right corner. The condition appears to be excellent, with well-preserved pigments and no visible cracking or losses to the paint layer, while the frame shows minor age-related wear but remains structurally sound.