The Angel of Grief: History, Symbolism, and Location
The Angel of Grief (also known as the Weeping Angel) is an iconic marble sculpture created in 1896 by William Wetmore Story. It stands in the Campo Verano Cemetery in Rome, Italy.
Key Details
- Design & Symbolism: A sorrowful angel draped in loose robes, bent over a tomb with face buried in hands—symbolizing grief and mourning.
- Commission: Story created it as a monument for his wife, Emelyn Story, who died in 1894.
- Artistic Influences: Inspired by Michelangelo's Pietà and Renaissance funerary art, blending classical and Christian motifs.
- Material: Carved from a single block of white marble, showcasing intricate drapery and emotional intensity.
- Height: Approximately 3 meters (9.8 feet).
- Inscription: Latin phrase "ET MORITURUS ERAT" ("And he was also to die") on the base, emphasizing shared mortality.
- Cultural Impact: Widely recognized symbol of bereavement; influenced later funerary art and literature.
- Visitor Tribute: Attracts visitors who leave flowers, transforming it into an active site of remembrance.
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