Pietà | William-Adolphe Bouguereau | 1876

This painting portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the lifeless body of her son, Jesus Christ, shortly after his descent from the cross. Mary, enveloped in a somber black cloak, gazes downward with profound sorrow, her eyes reddened from weeping. Around them, eight mourning angels form an arc, each expressing grief through varied gestures and postures. The pallor of Christ's lifeless form contrasts starkly with the deep hues of the surrounding figures, emphasizing the tragedy of the scene. At the base of the composition lie the crown of thorns and a blood-stained white cloth, poignant reminders of Christ's suffering. 

A notable detail is the urn inscribed with "IN MEMORIAM DILECTI MEI FILII GEORGII DIE XIX JULII ANNO MDCCCLXXV," translating to "In memory of my beloved son, Georges, on 19 July 1875." This personal tribute reflects Bouguereau's profound grief over the loss of his eldest son, Georges, who died at sixteen. The painting stands as a testament to Bouguereau's ability to infuse classical religious themes with deep personal emotion, rendering a work that resonates with both aesthetic beauty and heartfelt sorrow.