Bouguereau, #21, painted the moment of the discovery of Abel’s body after the death of his own son (he lost 4 sons). It is a very moving scene, the body of Abel across Adam’s lap reminds us of the body of Christ often depicted lying across Mary’s. It is the first grief experienced by human parents, the first loss magnified by the horrible deed of their other son.
The sculptures are all very beautiful. Barrias, at #33, also sculpted this moment in similar manner. After all, Bouguereau and Barrias worked in the same period. Masterpieces.