The story revolves around the tomb of Ilaria Giunigi, a beautiful woman from the Renaissance era. After her death, her grieving husband commissions an artist to create a perfect sculpture of her on her bier, capturing her peaceful and serene appearance. The poem describes Ilaria's transformation into a work of art, where her soul is reborn in marble, symbolizing the power of art to transcend mortality.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Romance