Imagem de mulher: uma leitura dos retratos de ‘Tia Marcelina’ e ‘Filha de Santo’ na arte afro-brasileira/alagoana de mestre Zumba

Abstract

This study analyzes the portraits “'Tia Marcelina” and “Filha de Santo” painted by the Alagoano artist José Zumba. The aim is to examine how his pieces, from the perspective of Afro-Brazilian art, forge a novel way of representing black women in society and the visual arts. For this, the analysis compares Zumba’s work with that of artists such as Jean-Baptiste Debret and Johann Moritz Rugendas, emphasizing the latter’s influence in the exotic depiction of black women.In this sense,I explore the social history behind the pieces and the development of Afro-Brazilian art in order to interpret as well as assess Mestre Zumba’s work in this context.Thus, I underline historical events and social processes that are involved with the paintings, such as Afro-religiosity in Alagoas - with focus on“Quebra de Xangô”.I also cast light on how the symbols and the customs of Alagoas are represented and depicted in Mestre Zumba’s art.