Unknown Artist, 20th century

A common subject for many self-taught artists, especially those from the southeastern part of the United States, is the Biblical or religious scene. The Genesis story of Adam and Eve was a topic of particular interest to Pat Parsons who donated many of the works on view. Often, self-taught artists begin their art careers later in life after suffering an illness, injury, or trauma or sometimes after experiencing a visionary epiphany. Some view their art as a spiritual calling, using their work as a pulpit to teach, persuade, or evangelize, as in the case of Howard Finster, while others choose religious subject matter as a means to express their creative energy and to inspire those around them. In this pair of works by an unknown artist, Adam and Eve are depicted not in a lush Garden of Eden, but on a stark, scarlet background, each beside a fruit tree with the culpable serpent nearby. In the center of the compositions, their faces and nude bodies face forward toward the viewer as they are implicated for their actions and the ensuing consequences.