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“La voie que conduit à la perle est large et facile—bien étroite est celle qui conduit à la vie!!”

CAT 66 artist and publisher unknown man carries cross up steps BA 62.jpg

CAT 65. Engraver, artist unknown. “La voie que conduit à la perle est large et facile—bien étroite est celle qui conduit à la vie!!” Cut out from unknown publication, date unknown. Melville Memorial Room, Berkshire Athenaeum.


Unlike the female carrying the cross up a barren hill away from the city in CAT 55, this male figure is about to carry his cross up steep steps crowned by a religious structure upon which a black cross in a bright white light is shining through a stormy sky. The Biblical quote in French contrasts the narrow path that leads to the life of the spirit with the comparatively wide, easy path to the “pearl” of the world.