The International Museum of Naïve Art of Brazil (MIAN), in Rio de Janeiro, has the largest collection of naïve, or naïf, art in the world, with about 6,000 works.
Among MIAN's treasures are works by outstanding Brazilian artists such as Chico da Silva, Gerson, Miranda, P.P.L., Lia Mittarakis, Waldomiro de Deus and Aparecida Azedo.
This photo tour will give you a sample of the rich and colorful collection that awaits you at one of Brazil's best museums, conveniently located a few steps from the access to the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado.
11. "Watching the World Cup Game", by Ana Camelo
Patricia Ribeiro
One of the exhibits at MIAN showcases artwork which celebrates the Brazilian passion for soccer. In "Watching the World Cup Game" (60cm X 80cm), by Ana Camelo, people gather at a bar to root for the national team.
12. "The Peacock", by Grauben
Patricia Ribeiro
Like a Grandma Moses from Brazil, Grauben started painting in her 70s, encouraged by a niece who found her crying over the beauty of a sunset and said anyone that sensitive simply had to paint.
Grauben painted until her death at the age of 83, creating inspired works such as "The Peacock" (1969).
13. "The Battle of Karbala - Husayn's Torture", by Abdol Hossein
Patricia Ribeiro
Most of the international works at MIAN came to Brazil in suitcases. Such is the case with this work by Abdol Hossein, which was folded in order to fit.
The painting depicts a significant episode in Muslim history, commemorated in Ashura.
14. "In the Field" (40cm X 60cm, 1999) by Ozias
Patricia Ribeiro
MIAN has a gallery with featured artists whose work is for sale. During our visit, the featured artist was Ozias, whose history is emblematic of the self-taugh artist's discovery of his or her talent.
Ozias (Ricardo de Ozias) started painting at the age of 46, when he moved from physically active jobs as a railroad worker to a bureaucratic function. To avoid falling asleep, he began painting with his fingers, using maintenance paints on any media he could find.
Lacking brushes, Ozias used to chew on a toothpick to create a brush. His compulsive painting even led some co-workers to think he was going insane, until a railroad engineer saw him in action and talked about him to people who could help him have his first exhibit in 1987.
15. "Ecological Christ", by Zizi Sapateiro
Patricia Ribeiro
Zizi Sapateiro, whose nickname means "cobbler" because that was his original profession, painted "Cristo Ecológico" (100cm X 80cm) in 1992.
16. "Maracanã", by Dalvan
Patricia Ribeiro
One room at MIAN displays works created by several artists depicting 40 of Rio de Janeiro's top attractions. The best-known soccer stadium in Brazil was portrayed by Dalvan in "Maracanã" (40.9cm X 60.9cm, 1998).
The works are all represented in Rio de Janeiro Naïf, a book by Lucien Finkelstein e Mariza Campos da Paz. A multilingual publication (Portuguese, English, French, Spanish and German) which makes a great souvenir, Rio de Janeiro Naïf costs R$150 (about $93) at the museum's gift shop.
