The “Black Angel” is a striking three-foot-tall bronze sculpture, crafted as a smaller replica of the famous Black Angel monument in Iowa City. Located at Stones Coates Cemetery in Marengo, IA, this sculpture mirrors the iconic nine-foot-tall original, which is situated in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City. The Black Angel was erected as a memorial for the Feldevert family in the early 20th century and has long been enveloped in mystery and legend. Over the years, the statue’s once golden bronze hue mysteriously transformed to an eerie black, sparking countless myths about its origins and the supposed curse it carries.
This particular reproduction, standing at 3 feet high and 4.5 feet wide, depicts the angel with outstretched arms and protective wings, gazing over the grave site in a guardian-like posture. The angel's somber, yet graceful, presence is meant to provide comfort and protection to those laid to rest below. Its symbolic wings and arms stretch outward in a serene, protective embrace, evoking a sense of peace for the visitors and loved ones who come to pay their respects. The Black Angel remains a timeless and powerful piece of art, deeply embedded in local history and folklore, offering a quiet space for reflection and contemplation on the mysteries of life and death.
The curse continues. The three-foot-tall replica of the nine-foot-tall Black Angel was originally given a black and green patina which mimicked that of the original. After installation, inexplicably the blackened areas turned red.
