HELP WITH SIGNATURE ON OLD HAITIAN PAINTING? IDEAS ON CLEANING IT?

Bought this off a friend who found it in a storage auction he won. It looks like it's been left outside for awhile!
It also looks like it may have a glaze? I've never seen a Haitian painting with that before - or is it just from the poor condition?
Any tips on safely cleaning it?
Also (more importantly if it's a listed artist) - can anyone make out the artist's signature?
As always, I appreciate your help.

 

Carlata ? What in the world did they paint that on ? It looks like burlap!

 

Genuinely curious... How do you know it's Haitian?

Debora

 

The many colors (that I suspect were once a lot brighter) & that it appears they are in what could be Haiti.
I could be wrong with this one, what do you think it is?

 

Carlito 73? Odd that the seven is a European style.

 

Quite nice. But I can hardly see it. (Better photographs and close-ups would be helpful.) But I would think the Caribbean likely or Central America possibly. Do the men appear to be wearing guayaberas?

Debora

 

"Carlito" looks right. Do you think it could be a "6" and not a "7?" 1963 would be more likely with clothing (full-skirted, shirtwaist dresses.)

Debora

 

Could be Dom Rep.

Debora

 

Not at all. It's a francophone country that still does many things in the French manner.

I actually thought it said 43.

 

A Haitian take on La Grande Jatte?

 

I thought it was 43 or 93
It doesn't get mush brighter; it needs to be cleaned if any possibility of making it better

 

To my eye, does look like "73" which would make it contemporary with frame. And a crossed 7 for does provide a clue as to locale.

Debora

 

I like it.
I don't see any people who are recognizably of African descent. But quite a few women with long straight hair. I'd say Latin America.

 

There are a predominance of small boats without sails on the water which gives me a lake vibe more than an ocean in Haiti vibe. Maybe Guatamala or some other country with famous lake areas?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lakes_of_Central_America

Debora

 

THAT was a great insight!

 

LOOK at the back of that painting......looks like "they" glued burlap over the front, but on the BACK you can see the form of what looks like a darkish nude kind of in a curled form.......and why the frame differences?? I DO realize canvases were used more than once though, so maybe that's all there is to that......

 

I saw a bowl of fruit with what looked like a grasshopper leg.

 

Amazing what's in the eyes of the beholders!!!!!!! Wonder what others might come up with!!!!!!