Within her abode, the blinds were always drawn against the sunlight, and its rumored that she only left her home at night. 6 La Divina Contessa. Some scholars argue that the Countess of Castiglione wasnt just the first model of our timeshe was also the first supermodel too. Strangely, it's hard to find out much about the impact of Castiglione's photos during her own lifetime. Contents hide. skeleton on the Pacific island of Nikumaroro. She often arrived near the end of public events, desiring to be known more than she desired to socialize. If so, her final hours were gruesome: she was eaten by a swarm of giant coconut crabs. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. Do you ever watch movies in languages you cant understand? Search. She would leave the apartment only at night. The Countess was famous for one feature in particular: Her eyes. She was the prophetess of self-portraits, anticipating Frida Kahlo, Cindy Sherman and . [Profile with Chignon, Large] (Countess Virginia Oldoini Verasis di Castiglione [18351899]) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 186163, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1855. The altered image further suggests the client's intervention.. Ritrosetta 261287 . There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. She also produced many photographs of herself depicting famous women from the Bible, history, and mythology. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Log in. Sep 10, 2013 - The 19th-century Italian aristocrat, better known as as La Castiglione, was an iconic model, muse, mistress, narcissist, and queen of drama. Instead, she preferred to stand in the middle of the room and let men fawn over her as if she were a shrine. 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. 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. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. 1860. On March 22, 1837, the Countess was born into her very own gilded, velvet world. Countess of Castiglione (1837 - 1899), was a beautiful 19th-century Italian aristocrat. La Dame de Coeurs, 1861-63. On one occasion, she boldly appeared at a ball on the emperor's arm, dressed as the Queen of Heartsprompting the empress to angrily quip, "The heart is a bit low, Madame.". Genealogy profile for Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione. 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. These actions protected her from watching her own beauty decay, and allowed her admirers to only remember the beauty she was in her youth. Hand-tinted photographs were regarded as both a luxury and a novelty. There is a French documentary currently on Amazon Prime, The Courtesans, that focuses on the rivalries of Virginia Oldoini, La Paiva Esther Lachmann, La Belle Agustina del Carmen Otero Iglesias, and Liane de Pougy. People called her beauty a miracle and named her as la divinia contessa. Many times, her self-absorption got the better of her and instead of seducing her dancing partner, she only made them yawn. Find Virginia Oldoini, Countess Of Castiglione stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Visual content is copyrighted to its respective owners, and inclusion here is under fair use for criticism, comment, and news reporting purposes. Duly, she ignored the usual diplomatic routes and inveigled herself into prime position as the emperor's mistress. By Kendra on November 7, 2019 in Nineteenth Century. The Divine Countess faced a not so divine death in 1899. The Countess of Castiglione had no love lost for Empress Eugenie, Napoleon's wife. He was twelve years her senior. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. [2] She married Francesco Verasis, Count of Castiglione, at the age of 17. The Fascinating Life of the Mad Monks Daughter. Countess of Castiglione Facts. Soon enough, it all came crashing down. Yes! Plus, you know, there was the whole other woman thing. Plus, you know, there was the whole "other woman" thing. He spent thirteen years writing a biography, La Divine Comtesse, which appeared in 1913. In her later years, the Countess of Castiglione barely left her house, considering it the height of mortification to show her slightly wrinkled face to the masses. 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 . Or something else entirely? She also recreated defining moments of her life, mythologizing her own story by documenting herself in dresses that had proved themselves especially admired or notorious, chief among them being her Queen of Hearts costume. Daphne Guinness, eat your heart out. She was a diplomat, an opportunistic fashion rebel and a pioneer in the self-constructed photographic image. During her lifetime, she was called "a miracle of beauty," like "Venus descended from Olympus"but, one of her contemporaries noted, she was so self-absorbed that "after a few moments she began to get on your nerves." [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]. I was able to vaguely follow what was going on through the over-the-top acting and flashbacks. The Countess of Castiglione made her mark in very difficult times. Surprising almost no one, Oldoini wasnt afraid to be very risqu in her photographsbut her most scandalous photos were also her most bizarre. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. Read our Cookie Policy. 7 The First Model. Obsessed with her own image, the Countess de Castiglione was more than a mere narcissist. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Hasards_heureux_de_l%27escarpolette#/media/Fichier:Fragonard,_The_Swing.jpg. 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. Uh, this didnt exactly go well for her. During her relationship with the French emperor, she met Augusta of Saxe-Weimar, Otto von Bismarck and Adolphe Thiers. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. I dont think narcissist is the right word. [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. The film starts with the countess in her prime, at the opera, where everyone is dying over how gorgeous she is with good reason: Shes all stunning white with a giant hoop, and nobody can take their eyes off her. 2 Early marriage. You've already signed up for some newsletters, but you haven't confirmed your address. The countess was an early pioneer in photo alteration, and in fact she colorized many of her photos using different . Library. September 14, 2020. 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. By the time she gained notoriety as Napoleon IIIs mistress, she had bankrupted her husband, who pushed for an irrevocable marital separation due to her infidelity and insupportable spending habits. Prim, proper, and dutiful Eugenie had to suffer in contempt when she got the full view of the Countess of Castigliones costumeand I do mean the full view. The Countess was known for her beauty and her flamboyant entrances in elaborate dress at the imperial court. Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark historyor the chilling secret shared by her and Louis. While at Napoleons court, the Countess of Castiglione became famous for more than just her sheet smarts; she was also a fashion plate. Want to know more interesting facts? She achieved notoriety by becoming Napoleon III's mistress, a scandal that led her husband to demand marital separation. Moreover, these rudimentary special effects could smooth, enhance, and flatter their subjects, transforming and elevating them. 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. The Countess of Castiglione was Italian; she was married off at age 17 to the count, who was 12 years older. It was a seemingly innocent photograph of the beautiful countess dressed up in a luxurious gownbut when the count looked closer, his blood ran cold. But the most intriguing aspect of the image is one of its smallest components: the small hand-mirror this woman wields. Her memoirs reveal some disturbing and embarrassing details. She would later influence politics again when she was called to Otto von Bismarcks side in a successful attempt to discourage his armies from occupying Paris. 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. Not even she was entitled to look at the waning beauty of the Countess of Castiglione. 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. 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. Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. I am of a different essence.". She was a pioneer of a new artistic medium who also happened to be an emperor's open-secret fuck buddy. La Contessa descended into madness, stemming from her undying self-obsession and Narcissism. ", For More Stories Like This, Sign Up for Our Newsletter. Children. In hindsight, its not a very good idea to send a teenager into enemy territory with instructions to sleep her way to the top. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. She wished to set up an exhibit of her photographs at the Exposition Universelle (1900), though this did not happen. In 1871, things werent looking good for the Countess of Castiglione. Upon receipt of this photo, her husband quieted and left the boy with his mother. Married in 1854 to Count Francesco Verasis di Castiglione, who was attached to the court of King Victor . In these photos, her head is cropped out. 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. We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Being a fashion showstopper, she was an icon and the talk of the town. Sign up for our newsletter. The count was 12 years older than the girl, and not much of a looker. A series of photos show leafless trees as massive sculptural . It wasnt all disreputable behavior in the court of Napoleon III, and the countesss proximity to the emperor threw her into the paths of some of the most important figures in Europe at the time, including legendary German statesman Otto von Bismarck, who was like Angela Merkel before Angela Merkel was cool. Virginia Oldoiniknown better to history as the Countess of Castiglionewas mad, bad, and dangerous to know. Browse 343 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Translation: Your cleavage is showing, betch. The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress, Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs First Wife, Suave Facts About Timothy Dalton, The Disappearing Bond, Suave Facts About Sean Connery, Hollywood Rogue, Mysterious Facts About Josephine Earp, The Mendacious Wild West Woman, Scandalous Facts About Antony Armstrong-Jones, The Earl Of Snowdon. The countesss totally unbiased response? This scandalous move of hers took the forum by surprise. The Countess de Castiglione was a rare creature indeed: a full-blown 19th-century narcissist with unlimited access to a camera. The opulence of these ladies is over the top. The studio specialized in hand-painted photography, an explosively popular technique. She spent a large part of her personal fortune and even went into debt to execute this project. He later scrawled furiously: Our separation is irrevocable. Thanks for your time! Original Price 17.51 He tried to claim custody of their only son Giorgio, using his wifes lavish lifestyle as proof of her bad mothering. Oldoini doted on the boy as only a rich mommy can, pouring all her own frustrated hopes and dreams into him. The Countess Castiglione was a woman of multiple personalities -- Cleopatra crossed with Blanche Dubois. The daughter of a diplomat, Virginie di Castiglione grew up lonely in a large palazzo in Florence, the home of her grandfather, Lamporecchi, a well-known jurist . Theres no doubt that the French court was initially obsessed with the countess, and she became the It Girl du jour. All Rights Reserved. Another wrote that, at gatherings, she would "allow people to her admire her as if she were a shrine She almost never spoke to women. understated; she did everything from choosing the camera angle to painting the photographs herself. To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. Even after her tenure as a royal mistress, the countess played an important role in European politics. The Countess of Castiglione in collaboration with Pierre-Louis Pierson. In 1879, little Giorgio passed from smallpox, predeceasing his utterly bereft mother by a cruel 20 years. According to contemporaries she had a fabulous figure and wasnt shy about showing it off. In creating these photographs, the Countess cemented her place as a divine, unearthly beauty with a unique visual imprint on the royal courts and anyone knowledgeable about photography. Sadly, as well see, she might have had a darker reason for this behavior. 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. Soldier Boy Confronts Crimson Countess The Boys Clip Prime Video. [2], In 18561857, she entered the social circle of European royalty. 1 Born into Novelty. Unable to confront her fading looks, the middle-aged countess insisted on spending her final years in black-colored rooms with closed blinds and no mirrors. Though most of the 700+ photos depicted her wearing her singularly extravagant outfits, some photos were salacious for the time, depicting her naked legs and feet. . The countess infamously snapped pictures that exposed her bare feet and legs. In 1855, their only son, Giorgio, was . 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. Price on request. The countesss response was swift and brutal. 2023 Getty Images. By that time, the Countess of Castiglione was as well-known for her detailed and decadent outfits as she was for her beauty. La comtesse de Castiglione - Passy, 1861-1867. She was renowned for her beauty, which helped take her life in a couple of interesting directions. She was noted for her fair complexion, delicate oval face, long blonde hair, and eyes that changed color from blue-violet to green. You know youve made it when someone compares you to a literal goddess. 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. Whenever she wasnt perfectly satisfied with a photograph, shed use hand-painting to soften her unflattering angles and put herself in the best light. While Germany was considering occupying France, Oldoinis old friend Otto von Bismarck called her up personally and set up a secret meeting to ask her advice on the matter. Christine Tran is a history buff(ette) and media scholar. In fact, he specifically told the countess to succeed by whatever means you wishbut succeed. Virginia Oldoini, infamously known as The Countess of Castiglione, was a femme fatale, and an icon in her time, breaking traditional stereotypes, turning eyes and bending knees, wherever she set foot. Similar Movies. The reasons for her sudden fall from grace remain a private mystery. La Comtesse de Castiglione, 1856-1857. P. Petra von Straks. After sitting for her first portrait, the Countess returned again and again, working intensively with Pierson from 1856 to 1867, and then again towards the end of her life in the 1890s. Detail, Louis Pierson's photographic portrait of the Countess of Castiglione, ca. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. It might seem ordinary for us today, however it was a grave act of shame for women in the 19th century. Toward the end of her life, following a hiatus of some twenty-five years, the Countess da Castiglione resumed her sessions with Pierson. Mariah Carey could never. Want to know more? By dying in 1899, she also missed out on the 20th centuryan era where photography would only continue to dominate media and society. Women in the self-constructed photographic image she might have had a darker reason for this behavior cruel 20 years,... Not so Divine death in 1899 showing it off with his mother seem ordinary for us today however! 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