Wow. In answer to your question, I might say the total abandonment to grief. See how the shoulders curve into the stone below. The left arm hangs useless, while the right cradles the head, hiding the tears. I would say the figure stopped you in your tracks because so few funerary statues are so emotionally available to us as we pass by. Emelyn Story was deeply loved.
It is a striking image. I did some Googling and learned the angel (located in Rome) was sculpted by William Wetmore Story, an American sculptor who lived there with his wife, Emelyn. After she died, he sculpted this "Angel of Grief" in 1894. He's buried here too.
Is she surrendering to grief or to despair or to weariness? All? Her wings, for the moment at least, are forgotten. But they are still there. Also...that name...Story. Everyone has a story. Emelyn was a Story, too. Well, that's one of the things which captures me.
It astounds me how human hands and carve such a thing. Absolutely amazing - I wish I had even an eighth of that talent! No wonder it left you staring..
It left me staring, too. We always hear of angels rejoicing but never being in this kind of despair. That idea makes this image even more riveting to me. Like I wonder. . .what happened to Emelyn that could cause the angels to crumple into a heap of misery?
Wow. In answer to your question, I might say the total abandonment to grief. See how the shoulders curve into the stone below. The left arm hangs useless, while the right cradles the head, hiding the tears. I would say the figure stopped you in your tracks because so few funerary statues are so emotionally available to us as we pass by. Emelyn Story was deeply loved.
ReplyDeleteIt is remarkable. I think it intrigues me because I think some days even the angels get weary.
ReplyDeleteI look at it and I see complete surrender. It is beautiful. Sweet Jo
ReplyDeleteIt is a striking image. I did some Googling and learned the angel (located in Rome) was sculpted by William Wetmore Story, an American sculptor who lived there with his wife, Emelyn. After she died, he sculpted this "Angel of Grief" in 1894. He's buried here too.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_of_Grief
Is she surrendering to grief or to despair or to weariness? All? Her wings, for the moment at least, are forgotten. But they are still there.
ReplyDeleteAlso...that name...Story. Everyone has a story. Emelyn was a Story, too. Well, that's one of the things which captures me.
It astounds me how human hands and carve such a thing. Absolutely amazing - I wish I had even an eighth of that talent! No wonder it left you staring..
ReplyDeleteIt left me staring, too. We always hear of angels rejoicing but never being in this kind of despair. That idea makes this image even more riveting to me. Like I wonder. . .what happened to Emelyn that could cause the angels to crumple into a heap of misery?
ReplyDeleteIts incredibly heart-rending!
ReplyDelete