Recent evidence suggests that it may have belonged to aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. She would not live to see the Exposition where she planned to debut her photos. But it turns out that Oldoini really shone when her back was up against the wall. Price on request. If you want to see more images of La Castiglione you should check it out. She was an important figure to the history of photography during the 19th century. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. 2023 Getty Images. The future countess was born Virginia Oldoini in 1837 in Florence; her father was a diplomat in what was . One day, Napoleon was hosting yet another lavish ball, and the countess took the opportunity to flex her power. In 1857, she separated from her husband, whom she had openly cheated on and bankrupted. Oldoini doted on the boy as only a rich mommy can, pouring all her own frustrated hopes and dreams into him. Turning off the personalized advertising setting wont stop you from seeing Etsy ads or impact Etsy's own personalization technologies, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive. Others are disquieting. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'globalmarvels_com-box-4','ezslot_1',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-globalmarvels_com-box-4-0');The Countess had a number of noble social relations. Most tragically, this was not to be. They made her out to be some sort of gigantic narcissist who only posed for photographs. And that wasnt all. Critics have noted how morbid her late period images are, with the countess doing things like placing herself inside a coffin and posing with the body of her late terrier pup. The legs of Virginia Oldoini, Countess di Castiglione (18371899), by Pierre-Louis Pierson, c1861/67 (Photo: Wikimedia) But photography is the true legacy of La Castiglione's life. The daughter of Tuscan nobles, her birth name wasdeep breath for thisVirginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoini. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. The Contessa's Secret: Directed by Georges Combret. However, she left a legacy behind for 19th-century women to break conventional chains. She was no mere muse or passive model, however: The Countess obsessively and fastidiously art directed each photo, sometimes even choosing the camera angle or painting over the printed images herself. Soon after the divorce, The Countess took a rather popular photograph in todays time, dressed in a gorgeous gown and holding a knife in her hand, titled La Venegance, and sent it to her husband as a befitting reply. She has bracelets on each wrist and hair partially pinned up, one ringlet trailing down her neck. Before you start screaming wtf victory rolls??! All eyes were on her whenever she entered a room, and her costumes were the talk of the court. She rarely left its walls (painted black, of course) during daylight hours. The Oldoini cousins couldnt have picked a better mark than Napoleon III. Not surprising enough, the Countess took questionable pictures of herself, baring her legs and feet to the camera. Instead, she preferred to stand in the middle of the room and let men fawn over her as if she were a shrine. Some of the images are sumptuous and witty. Now I know better. Over the next four decades she directed Pierre-Louis Pierson to help her create 700 different photographs in which she re-created the signature moments of her life for the camera. She spent a large part of her personal fortune and even went into debt to execute this project. Even after her tenure as a royal mistress, the countess played an important role in European politics. At the pinnacle of her self love journey, Virginia sent out her portraits to friends and acquaintances in the form of albums, duly autographed as a sign of her abounding favour towards them (which was obviously unasked for). The separation wasnt just an idle threat, either. . Virginia had friends in high places. Ignored by her father, she was educated by her grandfather Ranieri Lamporecchi. Later, I came across her fancy dress photos via their exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was hooked and years later, I played her at the San Francisco Dickens Fair. In the end, the countess was true to herself, making it clear "I am not here for you. Robert de Montesquiou, a French poet, was once such Romeo so obsessed with his Juliet, that he collected 400 of her photographs. George Frederic Watts painted her portrait in . Original Price 17.51 At one point shes reunited with her lover: Which was notable to me, because her plaid dress, reminded me of the very first image I ever saw of the countess, in which I died over her (probably photographically altered) wasp waist |La Comtesse de Castiglione La robe cossaise byPierre-Louis Pierson, 1859 via Artsy, And then in a euphemistic shot that completely reminded me ofThe Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, shes seen on stage NO idea whats up with that, as far as I know the real countess didnt do any theater?? She Was Born Into Privilege. By shooting and painting hundreds of photos to perfection, she opened the door to using photography as a medium to tell stories and create emotionally affecting art, ignoring its traditional usage of simple portraiture. Now, the problem with the Countess of Castiglione as a frock flicks subject is that the two main movies about her are in Italian, and hard to track down. [3] George Frederic Watts painted her portrait in 1857. She paired with the imperial court photographers Mayer & Pierson from 1856 to 1895, utilizing the technology of painted photographs to craft multiple, sometimes conflicting, portraits of her nature. Visualizza altre idee su virginia, foto, croce di diamanti. Four years later, the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, conceivably in part due to the influence that the Countess had exerted on Napoleon III. Theres no doubt that the French court was initially obsessed with the countess, and she became the It Girl du jour. The count was 12 years older than the girl, and not much of a looker. He eventually collected over 400 photos in her massive collection, which are now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her cousin, Camillo, Count of Cavour, was a minister of Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia (that included also Piedmont, Val d'Aosta, Liguria and Savoy). Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Sign up for our newsletter. You've already signed up for some newsletters, but you haven't confirmed your address. . The French court photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson took more than 400 portraits of the Countess Castiglione, considered the most beautiful woman of her time,during a 40-year collaboration. Yep, he wanted Oldoini to become a spybut that wasnt all he instructed her to do. The Countess was known for her beauty and her flamboyant entrances in elaborate dress at the imperial court. Her cousin Camillo Benso was even a minister for the King of Sardinia. We know that the studio was luxurious; engravings show its salons, antechambers, vast porticos, enormous bay windows bathing the galleries with light. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Not only was her husband a noble, but her own heritage was also nothing to slouch at. Virginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoni Rapallini (French: Virginie lisabeth Louise Charlotte Antoinette Thrse Marie Oldoni) was born on 22 March 1837 in Florence, Tuscany to Marquis Filippo Oldoni Rapallini and Isabella Lamporecchi, members of the minor Tuscan nobility; she was often known by her nickname of "Nicchia". Keep in mind that anyone can view public collectionsthey may also appear in recommendations and other places. ( Odd Feed). Well, Camillo must have been a smart man, because one day he rang up the countess with a brilliantand utterly scandalousproposition. Or something else entirely? Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. The Countess of Castiglione was obsessed with her own beauty, and meticulously art directed hundreds of portraits of herself over the course of her life. She was also a significant figure in the early history of photography. She revealed miles of porcelain legs and decorated her exposed toes with golden rings. Edwardian Era. La comtesse de Castiglione - Passy, 1861-1867. Shapes, color and value, eye-catching visual impact on art. Four months of attention-grabbing stunts were required for her to become Napoleons mistress. Browse 343 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Along with photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson, Virginia managed to take around 700 photographs of herself. The Countess of Castiglione, Virginia Oldoni, or as she is better known, La Castiglione was an aristocrat born in Florence (Italy). Behind her sits a child, his face blurred and ghostly mid-motion. She was born in 1837 to an aristocratic family in La . By the 1890s, she had become round, bald, and . The Metropolitan Museum of New York City held a Castiglione exhibition, including this picture, and posted it on the Internet with this paragraph as part of the notes: "At the costume ball held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 17, 1857, the Countess di Castiglione caused a sensation by . She achieved notoriety by becoming Napoleon III's mistress, a scandal that led her husband to demand marital separation. . !, The real countess really did go in for HA-UGE hairstyles that arent that far off! Okay this dressing gown just screams 1940s. The photographs,commissioned by the countess and created under her supervision,were both self-advertisement and self-expression as . At the peak of her Narcissism, she voluntarily modelled and took controversial pictures of herself. Despite her prickly nature, the Countess had rabid fans long after she passed. See more ideas about countess, vintage photos, vintage photography. After four years in Italy, her political acumen was vindicated when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed. Ive had a thing for the real-life Virginia Oldoini, The Countess of Castiglione (1837-1899) for a loooong time now. Almost as soon as she set foot in Paris, Oldoini was notorious as Napoleons mistress, and she took no trouble to hide the affair. When she did leave, she would wear dark veils and only go out at night so she could cover all evidence of her shameful age. In the end, Oldoinis illicit dalliance with Napoleon III was as short-lived as it was tragic. La Castiglione lived and died for beauty, but her inner beauty wasnt up to the standards implied by her physical assets. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. In 1861, Italy unified into an official kingdom, thanks in no small part to the countesss tireless, breathy efforts. In order to give you the best experience, we use cookies and similar technologies for performance, analytics, personalization, advertising, and to help our site function. She ended her life as a recluse hiding in darkened apartments. Browse 337 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The Countess of Castiglione began life as Virginia Oldoini, a celebrated beauty and a member of the minor nobility in Florence, Tuscany. Her photographs werent just about the clothes she was wearing but also about who was wearing them, putting Oldoini up with the likes of Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. The Eternal Father did not know what he was creating the day he sent her into the world. This major solo exhibition includes over fifty rare portraits of the Countess from the 1850s to the 1890s. Must find out. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Giorgio, in turn, adored her. The countess may have had a mystical hold over menbut her allure had one major flaw. From 1856 to 1895, the Countess di Castiglionea great beauty and shameless narcissistcollaborated with photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson on more than 400 self-portraits. She was partly responsible for Italian unification due to the influence she had upon the Emperor. Her level of control over these projects cannot be. RF2HW4NH9 - Art inspired by Countess de Castiglione, 1895, Albumen silver print from glass negative, Approximately 14.3 x 9.9 cm (5 5/8 x 3 7/8 in. In 1857, when her relationship with Napoleon III ended, La Castiglione moved back to Italy. The Countess continued to enjoy her expensive taste in men and self-indulgence until it took an eerie turn. In fact, he specifically told the countess to succeed by whatever means you wishbut succeed. Within her abode, the blinds were always drawn against the sunlight, and its rumored that she only left her home at night. At the age of 17, Virginia married Francesco Verazis. [2] She married Francesco Verasis, Count of Castiglione, at the age of 17. While she was lauded as Venus descended from Olympus, she was exceptionally self-absorbed. When he tried to gain full custody over their only son Giorgio not so subtly indicating her bitterness and disgust towards her ex-husband. She was notoriously obsessive about this aspect of her work, repositioning the camera with persnickety precision when she didnt like what she saw. View Etsys Privacy Policy. The studio specialized in hand-painted photography, an explosively popular technique. Upon receipt of this photo, her husband quieted and left the boy with his mother. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. 11 - 15 May 2022. Yes, but in film, swinging seems to have been used as a euphemism for sex I wonder how far back that goes? Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. Find Countess Of Castiglione stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. He asked Virginia to travel to Paris and convince Napoleon the III to be their aide in the unification of Italy. A Collection of Vintage Photos featuring the Countess de Castiglione (La Divine Comtesse) Posted by Embla on October 24, 2019 Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione (1837 - 1899), better known as La Castiglione , was an Italian aristocrat who was a special agent for the cause of Italian unification, the mistress of Napoleon III, and a . The countess was an early pioneer in photo alteration, and in fact she colorized many of her photos using different . She was renowned for her beauty, which helped take her life in a couple of interesting directions. Scherzo di Follia by Pierre-Louis Pierson, Vintage European Art Print, Countess of Castiglione Photo, PRINTABLE Wall Art, Digital Download. The poet and dandy Robert de Montesquiou was obsessed with her even when she was alive, and his ardor only grew. (40% off), Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers! I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. She often hand painted over her photographs and directed her shots, to put forward her best angle, much like a supermodel. I am of a different essence.". I dont think narcissist is the right word. Granted Castiglione was obsessed by her own beauty but so was everybody around her. . The Wikipedia article for Virginia Oldoni, Countess of Castiglione, places her behind the scenes at some critical points in Franco-Italian history, France supporting Italian unification and Prussia not occupying Paris. One of her most infamous outfits was a "Queen of Hearts" costume. . Virginia Oldoini, Countess Castiglione, was a voracious client of both couture and photography, acquiring fashion from the new maisons de couture of Worth and Pingat. Glamorous, with an emphasis on form and fashion, the images were among the first of their kind. 3 A Scurvy Expedition. 1. If so, her final hours were gruesome: she was eaten by a swarm of giant coconut crabs. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Buzz Buddy. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. . 10.25.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment. Many times, her self-absorption got the better of her and instead of seducing her dancing partner, she only made them yawn. As commented by Hundred Heroines historian Haley Drolet, 'In what is perhaps her most recognisable photograph, La comtesse de Castiglione (1865), Oldoni stares directly at the viewer through a small black frame. Where Does Dust Come From, and Does it Have a Sinister Side? In these photos, her head is cropped out. She actively spurned the company of other women, often refusing to even talk to them while she was at balls. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. James Hyman Gallery. You can change your preferences any time in your Privacy Settings. The first book, "Exposition," translated by Amanda DeMarco, is about the Countess of Castiglione, a nineteenth-century aristocrat who dedicated herself to becoming the most photographed woman . The war against Austria was not his only conquest, he was also a skirt chaser, indulging in mischievous antics of infidelity, making him the perfect prey for the Countess. The Countess of Castiglione in a photo by Pierre-Louis Pierson (c. 1863-66). Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. 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