Tree of Life (Pastorela), 1805. Sor Beatriz De la Fuente, Michoacan, Mexico. Oil on canvas. 28-3/4" x 22-1/2". Purchased with funds generously provided by Kit Goldsbury and Linda Pace.		9 of 11
		TREE OF LIFE n this painting by a Mexican nun, the forces of good, represented by the Virgin and Christ, and those of evil, symbolized by the monster/devil, struggle for the soul of a sleeping young man. Death, with her ever-present scythe, has sawed half-way through the tree of life, and both sides continue to pull the tree in their direction. The young man is costumed as a student minstrel from 19th-century north-central Mexico. The text, translated from Spanish, is as follows: “Oh sleeping man, for sinners neither death nor demons sleep Beware! Look at yourself, already in agony Fighting with death There won’t be anyone to awaken you Up to this day Mourn and trust in God He will mercifully forgive you Because He was born generous Which shows in his noble blood In His warmth and love”