She donned this title at the young age of 17, causing the men and women of the royal courts she subsequently frequented to know her primarily as La Castiglione. Countess of Castiglione, c.1865 (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons) Curiosities. Um. So this review is basically going to focus on the visuals! You know youve made it when someone compares you to a literal goddess. This major solo exhibition includes over fifty rare portraits of the Countess from the 1850s to the 1890s. She was noted for her fair complexion, delicate oval face, long blonde hair, and eyes that changed color from blue-violet to green. Virginia Oldoni Rapallini, Countess of Castiglione (22 March 1837 28 November 1899), better known as La Castiglione, was an Italian aristocrat who achieved notoriety as a mistress of Emperor Napoleon III of France. Browse 337 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. . Moreover, these rudimentary special effects could smooth, enhance, and flatter their subjects, transforming and elevating them. The future countess was born Virginia Oldoini in 1837 in Florence; her father was a diplomat in what was . Artist Pierre-Louis Pierson. It wasnt boredom, but indiscretion which provoked Napoleon to discard her. Her interests include the European Renaissance, popular culture, and Internet history. While she was lauded as Venus descended from Olympus, she was exceptionally self-absorbed. Hey, you think a face that beautiful comes for free? She died on November 28, 1899, at the age of sixty-two, and was buried at the Pre Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Her narcissism in regard to her own photographic image was a precursor to the self-portraits we've seen throughout the 20th century. They do a scene in a dressmaking shop that is working on one of the countesss costumes: this is a really good approximation of a real costume she wore | La Frayeur (Countess of Castiglione) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 1861-64,Metropolitan Museum of Art, Her photos would frequently be painted over; the one above is obviously one step in the process to end at this finished image |La Frayeur (Countess of Castiglione) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 1861-64,Metropolitan Museum of Art, Also, this costume still exists at LACMA! This was in the early 2000s, so it was only recently that I looked it up on Wikipedia, and found my inference was actually pretty accurate given I had no idea what anyone was saying. You might call her the Godmother of the staged Surrealist selfie. 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). She also produced many photographs of herself depicting famous women from the Bible, history, and mythology. When the Countess bragged and showed off the many gifts the emperor gave her, these lapses in her discretion prompted the dissolution of their relationship. Keep the snark flowing by supporting us with a small one-time donation on Ko-fi. Courtiers were delighted with her flamboyant entrances to parties, and her costumes were always impeccable. Touch device users can . Camillo encouraged seduction in no uncertain terms when he told her to succeed using any means necessary. "Her project, undermined by her shameless self-absorption, could not therefore be regarded as that of a true artist. The countesss totally unbiased response? She returned to Italy only briefly after her royal affair fell apart, but she just couldnt stay away from her beloved France. The Countess of Castiglione was Italian; she was married off at age 17 to the count, who was 12 years older. that it may have belonged to aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. Go get em, girl. If you want to see more images of La Castiglione you should check it out. After the fall of the Second Empire in 1870, the countess lived an increasingly reclusive and eccentric life in an apartment on the Place Vendme, venturing out only at night, shrouded in veils. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. With her notorious ways, she succeeded in enticing king Napoleon III to help unify Italy, which was achieved in 1861. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. He left for Italy, leaving his Countess engaging in her newly found hobby in France. Buzz Buddy. Her last years were eccentric, but as in most of her endeavors, her youthful beauty drove her decisions. Christine Tran is a history buff(ette) and media scholar. His devotion led him to confide in his cousin. By the time she was a teen, men were regularly trying to bed the beauty. The best part? Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Thus, the Countess Castiglione was sent to Napoleon with instructions to obtain a Franco-Italian alliance, stipulating that if Austria made war, France would join with Italy in combat. But unlike our pitiful selfies, Oldoini turned self-obsession into a cottage industryin fact, its what shes famous for today. I was able to vaguely follow what was going on through the over-the-top acting and flashbacks. Do you ever watch movies in languages you cant understand? She was also a significant figure in the early history of photography . She has bracelets on each wrist and hair partially pinned up, one ringlet trailing down her neck. I forget where I read that the centrifugal force generated by the action of a swing creates pressure on the female genital organs, and therefore mildly stimulates them. James Hyman Gallery. Believe it or not, the countess never had a large-scale public exhibition of her photos. In 1879, little Giorgio passed from smallpox, predeceasing his utterly bereft mother by a cruel 20 years. From 1856 to 1895, she had more than 400 photographs of herself . In the end, Oldoinis illicit dalliance with Napoleon III was as short-lived as it was tragic. Quite expected from a Queen. Suddenly, her regime of funereal black rooms, veils, and never leaving the house makes tragic sense. Victoria And Albert Museum. Born Virginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoni 1937 to an aristocratic family from La Spezia, Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castigli. Obsessed with her own image, the Countess de Castiglione was more than a mere narcissist. He commented that La Castiglione was a dull doll, implying that what she had in looks, she lacked in personality. Although their relationship was technically collaborative, the Countess held all the cards: meticulously dictating the costumes, the sets, the scenes, and the ways in which images should be painted and embellished afterwards (some were given to the artist Aquilin Schad to overlay with gouache, while others she scribbled on herself). The Fascinating Life of the Mad Monks Daughter. In her biography, she explicitly described herself as The Eternal Father did not know what he was creating the day he sent her into the world.. Prussia had just absolutely destroyed France in the Franco-Prussian war, and German forces were considering occupying Paris and threatening the countesss luxurious way of life. Feb 4, 2014 - Explore Alessandra Casiraghi's board "Virginia Oldoini", followed by 216 people on Pinterest. 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 . Others are disquieting. Pinterest. Commissioned by the countess herself and created under her supervision, the images more . Once she even used this photographic art to communicate with others. In her later years the Countess removed all mirrors from her apartment, refusing to watch her beauty decay. Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Kendra has been a fixture in the online costuming world since the late 1990s. The countess was an early pioneer in photo alteration, and in fact she colorized many of her photos using different . The Italian Virginia Oldoini weds the Comte de Castiglione and is sent in 1856 in Paris to help defend the cause of Italy, in the likes of . By Pierre-Louis Pierson, albumen silver print from glass negative.In what became the introduction to their First Period (1856-1857) of work, Pierre-Louis Pierson photographed the Countess of Castiglione at his Mayer & Pierson studio in July of 1856. ), Yes, its found it. Oh, but it wasnt over yet. Tags1860sCountess of CastiglioneEmpress EugenieGino Sensanigreat hairinspired by a true storyItalyNapoleon IIIshuddup I love biopics. Before you go accusing Oldoini of being a good-for-nothing influencer, consider this: She was deeply involved in the production of her selfie photos, essentially acting as her own art director. Keep in mind that anyone can view public collectionsthey may also appear in recommendations and other places. Nevertheless, her allure and artistry came with a baggage, known to only a few. She was part of the demi-monde, women on the edge of society supported by wealthy lovers. Some 90 works from a remarkable series of photographic portraits documenting the public life and private fantasies of a legendary 19th-century beauty go on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 19, 2000, in the exhibition "La Divine Comtesse," Photographs of the Countess de Castiglione. After her death, he collected 433 of her photographs, all of which entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But then the Countess took the feud to the next level. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Read more: Maria Rasputin: The Fascinating Life of the Mad Monks Daughter. By 1860, their affair had soured, and the countess had completely lost favor at court. Imperial Court. Aaaaand Kendra starts shaking her head very, very sadly. As an older woman robbed of the beauty that defined her, La Castiglione left the world quietly, in isolation and in darkness. Price on request. From her bedroom exploits to her tragic downfall, the Countess of Castiglione is one historical figure worth knowing. !, The real countess really did go in for HA-UGE hairstyles that arent that far off! Oldoini never did reconcile with her husbandand though this would get her into trouble later, she didnt much mind for the time being. Some of the portraits were sent out in albums to friends and admirers, often as a signal of her favor. I recently stumbled across this 1942 version starring Doris Duranti as the countess on YouTube (the other main film about the countess is the 1954The Contessas Secret starring Yvonne de Carlo; if anyone knows where I can watch it, let me know!). The fashion choice let Eugenie know that even if she wasnt Empress, the countess still reigned over Napoleons heart. [3] George Frederic Watts painted her portrait in 1857. With Yvonne De Carlo, Georges Marchal, Paul Meurisse, Rossano Brazzi. In the end, the countess was true to herself, making it clear "I am not here for you. Thanks for your help! As it was prevalent in ancient times, the Count was 12 years older than his wife, deeming their marriage inharmonious. You might call her the Godmother of the staged Surrealist selfie. Find Virginia Oldoini, Countess Of Castiglione stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. 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. 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. She lost her charm and beauty and took ghastly and unnatural pictures of herself, posing in a coffin with her dead dog. She went back in 1861 and stayed for goodgetting into a lot more trouble in the meantime. 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