Folk Art Painting of Firefighters Raising the American Flag at Ground Zero

This is an original folk art painting, likely acrylic or tempera on board, depicting the iconic scene of three firefighters raising the American flag at the site of the World Trade Center (Ground Zero). The work is characterized by a naive, self-taught style with flat perspective and simplified figurative forms. The composition features three figures in black firefighting turnout gear with reflective grey banding and helmets, working together to hoist a 13-stripe flag on a white diagonal flagpole. The background is rendered in broad, expressive strokes of grey, blue, and brown, suggesting the debris and smoke of the site. Notable details include a white-painted wooden frame that shows minor surface scuffing. The painting is signed 'B Sims' in the lower-left corner in black script. The application of paint is thick in areas, showing visible brushwork and a lack of traditional blending, which is typical of contemporary amateur folk art. The piece appears to be in good overall condition with no visible cracking or flaking of the paint layer, suggesting it was produced in the years following 2001. The color palette is dominated by muted earthy tones, contrasted sharply by the vibrant red, white, and blue of the flag, which serves as the focal point.