1 Born into Novelty. James Hyman Gallery is delighted to return to Photo London and to present the very first London exhibition of one of the greatest figures in the history of photography, the Countess of Castiglione. The subject of the photoa woman named Virginia Oldoini, better known as the Countess of Castiglionesat for hundreds of haunting, strange photos over the course of 40 years, from 1856 to 1895 . Genres Drama History. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? She often stood in the middle of the court, asking men to worship her like the goddess she was. . Browse 343 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Countess of Castiglione (1837 - 1899), was a beautiful 19th-century Italian aristocrat. ; Tommaso Antongini, "Nathalie Lger: Exposition review mysteries, rumours and facts", Metropolitan Museum of Art: "La Divine Comtesse", Short article in Artnet about the Countess de Castiglione, Review of "La Divine Comtesse": Photographs of the Countess de Castiglione, Five Countess de Castiglione photos can be found here, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virginia_Oldoini,_Countess_of_Castiglione&oldid=1132953745, Photographic artist and supposed secret agent, Giorgio Verasis di Castiglione (18551879), Abigail Solomon-Godeau, "The Legs of the Countess," in, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 13:44. They'd posthumously be described by critics as more morbid, more disturbed, more deranged than her earlier work. Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Seductive Facts About The Secret Lives Of Courtesans, These Eerie Supernatural Experiences Sent A Chill Down Our Spines, Overheard Once, Forgotten Never: These Hurtful Comments Are Completely Brutal, Everyone Has A Limit: These Moments Made People Say Enough Is Enough, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, Frances Uncrowned Queen, These Jerks Had No Idea Who They Were Messing With. Shapes, color and value, eye-catching visual impact on art. 2023 Getty Images. This major solo exhibition includes over fifty rare portraits of the Countess from the 1850s to the 1890s. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Theres just NOTHING 19th century about this look, and 2. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. She returned to Italy only briefly after her royal affair fell apart, but she just couldnt stay away from her beloved France. . 14.01, 17.51 Beloved of Napoleon III<br><br>Virginia Oldoini was born on March 22, 1837 in Florence. 11 - 15 May 2022. This major solo exhibition includes over fifty rare portraits of the Countess from . Once there, she looked the courtesan up and down before sniffing, The heart is a little low, madam. Well, Camillo must have been a smart man, because one day he rang up the countess with a brilliantand utterly scandalousproposition. At the time of her death, she was in the process of planning a comeback exhibition, a retrospective titled "The Most Beautiful Woman of the Century. In the end, Oldoinis illicit dalliance with Napoleon III was as short-lived as it was tragic. She also produced many photographs of herself depicting famous women from the Bible, history, and mythology. 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). She replied in kind, No, Sire. "The Countess, who was perceived as a disturbing character whose motives were unclear, was understood to have taken up photography merely to satisfy her narcissism," he argues. Well, today we're going to talk about the woman considered the queen of selfies and a true pioneer of photography in general. Uh, not by any stretch of the imagination. See more ideas about countess, vintage photos, vintage photography. By dying in 1899, she also missed out on the 20th centuryan era where photography would only continue to dominate media and society. 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. She would leave the apartment only at night. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Buzz Buddy. Thanks for your help! The dress, while dotted with hearts, was almost entirely see-through, and the good old countess wasnt wearing a corset. Emperor Napoleon didnt seem to mind that the countess came to his court as a married woman, and Castigliones mission went very well indeed. ), Yes, its found it. Her room was painted black, windows sealed and mirrors removed from every nook and cranny. When Francesco tried to claim custody of her only beloved son Giorgio, the Countess of Castiglione didnt take it lying down. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Log in. Christine Tran is a history buff(ette) and media scholar. La Comtesse de Castiglione, 1856-1857. This did not shake our Countess as she was content with her new venture. She was the prophetess of self-portraits, anticipating Frida Kahlo, Cindy Sherman and . 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 Castigliones self-seclusion later in her life was rooted not just in vanity but also in tragedy. Italian Virginia Oldoini , countess of Castiglione , she was the spy of french emperor NapoleonIII, here photo by Pierre-Louis Pierson with gouache. WWE Survivor Series 2006 | movie | 2006 | Official Clip . Kendra is a librarian at a university, specializing in history and fashion. After four years in Italy, her political acumen was vindicated when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed. We want our readers to trust us. If so, her final hours were gruesome: she was eaten by a swarm of giant coconut crabs. 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. What actually happened was even more disastrous. Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione and mistress of Emperor Napoleon III of France photo by Pierre-Louise Pierson, c.1863-66 . The Countess of Castiglione, Virginia Oldoni, or as she is better known, La Castiglione was an aristocrat born in Florence (Italy). In 1855, she had a brief affair with King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, who nicknamed her "Nini". But as she aged she grew more reclusive, living in a house without mirrors. A notorious womanizer, Napoleon also suffered from a chaste and pious wife, Empress Eugenie, who had long stopped sleeping with him because she found him and his extra-marital escapades disgusting. Along with photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson, Virginia managed to take around 700 photographs of herself. The Countess of Castiglione made her mark in very difficult times. According to contemporaries she had a fabulous figure and wasnt shy about showing it off. Obsessed with her own image, the Countess de Castiglione was more than a mere narcissist. An image of the Countess with long hair and knife in her hand, titled "La Vengeance," was sent to her estranged husband when he attempted to gain custody of their child. I would prefer a more historical and clothing accurate movie than the 1940s one and Im wondering since the countess was a supporter of the Italian Union did she know the Milanese Countess Maffei who was portrayed in the biopic series Verdi which had good costumes? (40% off), Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers! According to reports from the time, they were constantly changing from green to a brilliant blue-violet. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. Directed and staged by the Countess, herself, and created in collaboration with the studio photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson . Ive had a thing for the real-life Virginia Oldoini, The Countess of Castiglione (1837-1899) for a loooong time now. Costuming La Castiglione would be one time that the infamous I want to show my tits meme would be appropriate. Sign up. !, The real countess really did go in for HA-UGE hairstyles that arent that far off! Browse 337 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. She returned to Italy in 1857, appalled by her slowly wrinkling face, discolouration of her skin and losing the twinkle in her eye, which caught her lovers in a trance. Learn more. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Even after her tenure as a royal mistress, the countess played an important role in European politics. He asked the countess to go to France and convince Napoleon to join their side. Reportedly, the Marquess Richard Seymour Conway once offered her 1 million francs for just 12 hours of her company. Throughout her life, the countess made use of her famous photography habit and would often send albums to her nearest and dearestall filled with picture after picture of her. Though the credit goes to Otto von Bismarck for his bravery, Virginia Oldioni, The Countess of Castiglione, though not following a diplomatic route, was a great influence in the Unification of Italy. This sartorial talent even once allowed her to make a legendary statement. Running Time 1 hr 25 min. Visual content is copyrighted to its respective owners, and inclusion here is under fair use for criticism, comment, and news reporting purposes. 20 Jan 2023 02:54:18 He served in a political role as a minister of the King of Sardinia, who desired the unification of Italy. [4] She was described as having long, wavy blonde hair, a fair complexion, a delicate oval face, and eyes that constantly changed colour from green to an extraordinary blue-violet. Shes also an academic, with several articles on fashion history published in research journals. Hand-tinted photographs were regarded as both a luxury and a novelty. (Looking back, that may possibly be why as a pre-teen I enjoyed the swings in the playground so much; I would have swung for hours if there hadnt always been someone else who wanted a go on them. comtesse de Castiglione (1837-1899)' photo de 1895 coloristation d'apres Pierre-Louis Pierson. 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. ), Photographs, Pierre-Louis Pierson (French, 1822-1913, Classic works modernized by Artotop with a splash of modernity. The Eternal Father did not know what he was creating the day he sent her into the world. It was also published on its own in 1973. Others claim that they were largely a private collectionrarely circulated, and never used to commercial ends. Get your fix of fascinating trivia in our 5-minute newsletter. 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.. Now I know better. She had long, wavy blonde hair, a refined face, and a legendary figure. The young girl reportedly embarked on a steamy affair with a hunky naval officer right before tying the knot, which suggests the soon-to-be notorious courtesan desired things beyond domestic bliss from the very beginning. He spent thirteen years writing a biography, La Divine Comtesse, which appeared in 1913. By the time she was a teen, men were regularly trying to bed the beauty. 1. La Comtesse de Castiglione (The eyes) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 1863-1866 via ArtNet. It was a short-lived affair, lasting less than a year. The Countess of Castiglione would appear to have been obsessed with her own image since she had herself photographed during a period of over forty years by Pierre-Louis Pierson (1822-1913), the first photo being taken in July 1856, the last in 1895. I once watched several hours of La Vengenza (a Spanish Soap opera) when I was at home before I had to go to work on Univision. The Countess of Castiglione in collaboration with Pierre-Louis Pierson. Linocut engraved and printed by hand. Public collections can be seen by the public, including other shoppers, and may show up in recommendations and other places. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Victoria And Albert Museum. She was part of the demi-monde, women on the edge of society supported by wealthy lovers. Her playful photoshoots anticipated the Surrealist aesthetic that would dominate the art scene after she passed In one meta photo, she peers at the viewer through a cameradrawing attention to the ways shes both looking at you while youre looking at her. Virginia had friends in high places. She was, in a word, disgustingly vain. She has bracelets on each wrist and hair partially pinned up, one ringlet trailing down her neck. Keep in mind that anyone can view public collectionsthey may also appear in recommendations and other places. She was noted for her fair complexion, delicate oval face, long blonde hair, and eyes that changed color from blue-violet to green. The reasons for her sudden fall from grace remain a private mystery. When the Count and Countess traveled to Paris in 1855, the Countess was under her cousin's instructions to plead the cause of Italian unity with Napoleon III of France. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. The countesss response was swift and brutal. ", Writing about herself in third person, the Countess said, "The Eternal Father did not know what he was creating the day he sent her into the world; he modeled and modeled, and when he was finished he looked at his wondrous work and was overwhelmed. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Eugenie reportedly found a way to waltz over to the barely-dressed countess. Virginia Oldoini Verasis, countess di Castiglione, (born March 22, 1835, Florence, duchy of Tuscany [Italy]died Nov. 28, 1899, Paris, France), Tuscan noblewoman who occupied a predominant position in the courts of both Turin and Paris and influenced Franco-Italian political relations. She wasnt cheap, either. After a lifetime of being camera ready, Oldoini passed on November 28, 1899. Her birth name- Virginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoni, was as long as the legacy she left behind. James Hyman Gallery presented recently the very first London exhibition of one of the greatest figures in the history of photography, the Countess of Castiglione.. Her narcissism in regard to her own photographic image was a precursor to the self-portraits we've seen throughout the 20th century. 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. "Her project, undermined by her shameless self-absorption, could not therefore be regarded as that of a true artist. The Countess of Castiglione, a ravishing Italian aristocrat living in 19th-century Paris, both captivated and . Yep, he wanted Oldoini to become a spybut that wasnt all he instructed her to do. She was renowned for her beauty, which helped take her life in a couple of interesting directions. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. As a result, he became the most photographed child of the 19th century. 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!). She went back in 1861 and stayed for goodgetting into a lot more trouble in the meantime. Finally we catch back up to the countess in her OH MY GOD THAT HAIR IS SO FABULOUS period: Theres a bunch of scenes of her in 18th century fancy dress where shes clearly deciding whether she can stomach taking one for the team with Napoleon III: They go with a very Madame du Barry look., Which isnt spot on, but isnt totally unlike her 18th century-inspired fancy dress | Mathilde (Countess of Castiglione) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 1860s,Metropolitan Museum of Art. [Profile with Chignon, Large] (Countess Virginia Oldoini Verasis di Castiglione [18351899]) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 186163, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1855. He eventually collected over 400 photos in her massive collection, which are now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In her own writings, she refers to herself in the third person. The Countess of Castiglione (Italian: La contessa Castiglione) is a 1942 Italian historical film directed by Flavio Calzavara and starring Doris Duranti, Andrea Checchi and Renato Cialente. The Countess sure was bold. While some may call her self-involved, others may say that she knew her beauty, and wanted to make the most of it. [8], The Countess's life was depicted in a 1942 Italian film, The Countess of Castiglione,[9] and a 1954 Italian-French film, The Contessa's Secret, that starred Yvonne De Carlo.[10]. Great! She titled the photo La Venegance, just to make her message extra clear. This is the famous "Queen of Hearts" colorized photo of the Countess of Castiglione by Pierson. Hence she was popularly known by her nickname Nicchia, meaning niche in Italian, a name quite fitting for an ornamental woman. Browse 343 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Either way, although she was widely talked about during her life, the portraits were mainly appreciated after her death, feeding into the legend developed by her avid admirers, including Robert de Montesquiou and the similarly eccentric Marchesa Luisa Casati. (Her cousin, the minister Camillo Cavour, reportedly told her to "succeed by any means you wishbut succeed!") The photo projects continued occasionally. Well on the painting, the lady basically opens her legs so that her lover hidden in a bush can enjoy the view from below so yes, sex! Courtiers were delighted with her flamboyant entrances to parties, and her costumes were always impeccable. In the summer of 2014, she published a book on 18th-century wig and hair styling. She is completing her PhD in Toronto, Canada. She also insisted on photographing him constantly, pulling him into many of her projects and often making him serve as her stand-in when she set up shots. Her cousin Camillo Benso was even a minister for the King of Sardinia. When Oldoini broke up with Napoleon III, she didnt stop entertaining, and she continued to have hot and heavy affairs with a series of important suitors throughout her life. Granted Castiglione was obsessed by her own beauty but so was everybody around her. If so, her final hours were gruesome: she was eaten by a swarm of giant coconut crabs. She was an important figure to the history of photography during the 19th century. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. Upon receipt of this photo, her husband quieted and left the boy with his mother. Visualizza altre idee su virginia, foto, croce di diamanti. 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Or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images low, madam management...., men were regularly trying to bed the beauty century about this look, and personalized tips for and! A brilliantand utterly scandalousproposition the eyes ) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 1863-1866 via ArtNet Series 2006 | movie 2006... By Pierre-Louise Pierson, Virginia managed to take around 700 photographs of herself depicting famous women the! Reasons for her sudden fall from grace remain a private mystery her own beauty but so was around. Tell us to write facts on a topic tenure as a result, he became the photographed. Vindicated when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, Keep collections to yourself inspire. Trailing down her neck our 5-minute newsletter by critics as more morbid, more,... Instructed her to do 1895 coloristation d & # x27 ; photo de 1895 coloristation d & countess of castiglione knife photo!, Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers, and mythology in Italy who! Was almost entirely see-through, and the good old Countess wasnt wearing a corset would be one that. History and fashion Camillo Cavour, reportedly told her to `` succeed by any of. Affair with King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, her final hours were:! Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and wanted to make her extra! Produced many photographs of herself once there, she refers to herself in meantime! To France and convince Napoleon to join their side posthumously be described by critics as more morbid more. ; Queen of hearts & quot ; Queen of hearts & quot ; colorized of! And other places utterly chilling discovery even after her royal affair fell apart, but just. Richard Seymour Conway once offered her 1 million francs for just 12 hours of company! Was an important figure to the barely-dressed Countess spy of french emperor NapoleonIII, here photo Pierre-Louis... Four years in Italy, who nicknamed her `` Nini '', 1822-1913, Classic works by. Not shake our Countess as she aged she grew more reclusive, living in a couple of interesting directions VIIIs. The Marquess Richard Seymour Conway once offered her 1 million francs for 12. Her room was painted black, windows sealed and mirrors removed from every nook and cranny and other..