Viceregal School. Cuzco. Peru. 18th century. “Path of human and Christian perfection as a way of union with God” [VIA VITAE AETERNAE]. Oil on canvas. 85 x 72 cm.   For this painting, the artist, from Cuzco, used a symbolic engraving that appears in a devotional book by the Flemish Jesuit Antoine Suquet (1574 - 1627) [“VIA VITAE AETERNAE”], [“Path to Eternal Life”] with 32 intaglio engravings, printed separately, by the Flemish engraver Boëtius a Bolswert (ca. 1585- 1633), published in 1620 in several languages. In this engraving, the person ascending this path is a nobleman or Christian dressed in the style of the period.  There is a Franciscan (it seems to be St. Francis of Assisi, without stigmata) who interpellates [I overcame the first one] and is questioned by Jesus at “the crossroads of life”, where it is necessary to “choose” in order to go forward.  St. Francis chose “to overcome the first demon”. And it is the freedom of the Christian (Franciscan) that decides whether or not to advance on the path of perfection. This “Way of Perfection” was very much studied by Franciscans and Carmelites, with a simple but effective pedagogy, and with its own peculiar features, to lead an interiorized life with the Master Christ and to ascend to the perfection of the mystical stage.  St. Francis of Assisi (the Christian) “looks” at Christ [Yncline your ear to me] and “allows himself to be looked at” by Him, who has given him “his burning heart”, symbol of His Love, and who takes his hand to accompany him on his journey, so that he does not walk alone.  To ascend on the “way to eternal life” is to encounter and accept the sufferings of Christ, (symbols of the Passion) which become ours, [Soi qui soi]. On the right, a group of sinners “who let themselves be carried away by the temptations of the road”, from hell cry out to Jesus [Suelbe nos, Suelbenos], “absolve us”, forgive us, invoking his mercy. To the left of the crossroads the temptations [I do it all] (a clear call to laziness, weakness and “letting oneself go”) and [you will be lucky] (a fetishistic wish that on the side of the temptations “everything will go well”. At the end there is an invitation to Eternal Glory [Come and see how I swim], where God the Father and the angels await.  The painting was probably made for the refectory of a Franciscan monastery, to be contemplated in silence during meals.  Earthy tones, sober, almost Franciscan, speak of the meditative moment to which the painting leads us.