The Tomb of Ilaria Giunigi
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 · 165 words
First lines
ILARIA, thou that wert so fair and dear That death would fain disown thee, grief made wise With prophecy thy husband's widowed eyes, And bade him call the master's art to rear Thy perfect image on the sculptured bier, With dreaming lids, hands laid in peaceful guise Beneath the breast that seems to fall and rise, And lips that at love's call should answer "Here!"
First-born of the Renascence, when thy soul Cast the sweet robing of the flesh aside, Into these lovelier marble limbs it stole, Regenerate in art's sunrise clear and wide, As saints who, having kept faith's raiment whole, Change it above for garments glorified.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tomb of Ilaria Giunigi is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Wharton, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Romance, Tragedy
- Length: 165 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, with a structured rhyme scheme and rhythm, typical of poetry.
- Historical — The work references historical figures and events, specifically the Renascence and Ilaria Giunigi, indicating a historical genre.
- Romance — The work contains themes of love and loss, as seen in the husband's grief and the romantic language used, suggesting a romance genre.
- Tragedy — The work deals with themes of death and grief, indicative of a tragedy genre.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Mystery · Romance · Supernatural · Italian Setting · 19th Century · Historical Fiction · Female Protagonist · Wealthy Family · Ancient Tomb · Family Secrets · Forbidden Love