The Angel of Grief
The Story of Emelyn and William Wetmore Story
Emelyn Story and William Wetmore Story were a deeply devoted couple whose lives were steeped in art, intellect, and a shared appreciation for beauty, all of which would culminate in one of the most poignant works of funerary art ever created—the Angel of Grief.
Born in 1819 in Salem, Massachusetts, William Wetmore Story was a man of many talents. Initially following in the footsteps of his father, a prominent lawyer, William established himself in law; however, his heart belonged to the arts, and by his early thirties, he had shifted his focus entirely to sculpture and poetry.
In 1843, he married Emelyn Eldredge, the love of his life. Together, they shared a passion for culture and the arts. In 1850, the couple moved to Rome, where William pursued his sculptural ambitions, immersing himself in the classical influences that would shape his masterpieces.
Life in Rome
For over four decades, William and Emelyn lived in Rome, surrounded by fellow expatriates, artists, and writers. The Eternal City, with its ruins, art, and history, provided an endless source of inspiration for William's work.
In 1894, Emelyn passed away, leaving William heartbroken. Stricken with grief, William poured his sorrow into creating a tribute to the woman who had meant everything to him.
The Angel of Grief
William sculpted The Angel of Grief Weeping Over the Dismantled Altar of Life as a memorial for Emelyn. The statue, carved from Carrara marble, depicts a grief-stricken angel collapsed in despair over a tomb. Her face is buried in her arms, and her wings droop as if weighed down by sorrow. It is a raw, heart-wrenching representation of mourning and loss, unlike the serene or stoic depictions of angels often seen in funerary art.
The sculpture was installed in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome, where Emelyn was laid to rest. The cemetery, a resting place for many expatriates, including the poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, became home to one of William's most personal works.
William Wetmore Story did not live much longer after completing the Angel of Grief. Overcome with despair and declining health, he passed away in 1895, just a year after Emelyn.
Legacy
The Angel of Grief remains one of the most evocative sculptures in the world. It has inspired countless reproductions and adaptations, but none carry the same weight of personal loss as the original.
To this day, the monument stands as a symbol of eternal love and the anguish of loss. Visitors to the Protestant Cemetery in Rome often find themselves moved by the angel's sorrow, a reminder of the universal human experience of grief—and the enduring power of love to transcend it.
The Symbolism of The Angel of Grief
In this masterpiece of funerary art every detail conveys an overwhelming sense of sorrow and reverence, reflecting the profound love and heartbreak William felt after Emelyn’s passing.
1. The Weeping Angel
The angel's posture is central to its symbolism. Unlike the triumphant or serene angels commonly seen in Christian art, this figure is entirely overcome with grief. Her body slumps over the tomb, as though her strength has been drained by her despair. This choice reflects the rawness of mourning, a stark departure from the idealized portrayals of death as peaceful or victorious.
The angel’s bent head, hidden in her arms, suggests an intimate and private sorrow—grief too deep for words. Her emotional collapse mirrors William’s own devastation at losing Emelyn.
2. The Wings
The angel’s wings are drooping and heavy, their tips nearly touching the ground. This detail conveys the weight of her sorrow. Wings are traditionally a symbol of hope, flight, and transcendence, but here, they are burdened, suggesting that grief can momentarily ground even the most divine beings. It underscores the universal and all-encompassing nature of loss.
3. The Dismantled Altar
The sculpture’s full title, Angel of Grief Weeping Over the Dismantled Altar of Life, includes a vital metaphor: the altar, a sacred and central structure, has been broken and dismantled. This symbolizes the destruction of the life William and Emelyn had built together. The altar could also represent Emelyn herself—she was the foundation of William’s happiness and creativity, and with her death, that foundation crumbled.
4. The Flowing Drapery
The angel’s garments appear to flow and pool, blending into the base of the tomb. This creates a sense of continuity between the angel and the earth, as though she is part of the natural cycle of life and death. It also evokes the timelessness of grief, which can feel as though it stretches endlessly.
5. The Unfinished Look
One of the most striking aspects of the sculpture is its sense of incompleteness. The lines of the angel’s form and the altar’s edges are soft, almost as though the work is in the process of eroding. This detail subtly suggests that grief, though powerful, changes with time. It acknowledges that love and memory endure even as life continues.
