The First Funerals at The Petit Palais, Louvre

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This marble sculpture was completed in 1883 by Louis Ernest Barrias (Paris, 1841 - 1905). This group is inspired by the biblical scene of Adam and Eve carrying their child Abel who was murdered by his brother Cain's jealousy. The winner of the Medal of Honour in 1878, the plaster sculpture is now considered, "The manifestation of the most high emotions achievable in sculpture". Fed formal references from Michelangelo and Bernini, Barrias however places the scene of bereavement and death in a fiction/fantasy setting. Adam holds a fierce face with the traits of an older man, hinting at humanity's early times. In contrast, Eve and Abel's bodies appear similar to antique models seen in the Renaissance. The three people are united in a pyramidal form in steps, which highlights their relationships. With this imaginary reconstitution of the first realisation of death, Barrias creates an original Pieta, a brilliant summary of neoclassical, romantic and realistic styles. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open source, community effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.