The Angel of Grief

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Angel of Grief by William Wetmore Story

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On October 7th 1895, the American sculptor William Wetmore Story died in Rome.

His sculpture of the Angel of Grief was created for the grave of his wife Emelyn, who had died the year before and was buried in the 'Protestant' Cemetery. The full title of the work is The Angel of Grief Weeping Over the Dismantled Altar of Life.

Story, who was devastated by his wife's death, described the sculpture: 'It represents the angel of Grief, in utter abandonment, throwing herself with drooping wings and hidden face over a funeral altar. It represents what I feel. It represents prostration. Yet to do it helps me.' 

Story, who had lived and worked in the Eternal City for more than 40 years, was buried with his wife. 

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Angel of Grief