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. . 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. 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? King Napoleon III did not have a clean history when it came to being loyal to his wife. Hand-painted photographs were a luxurious novelty at the time, so naturally Oldoini made the best use of them she could. Aside from taking up with Napoleon III in full view of her husband Francesco, the countess also literally bankrupted the man with her expensive tastes. Whichever interpretation you prefer, it's probably a fitting one. 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. Lets just say that the convincing Camillo had in mind wasnt the kind that involves long debates and dusty books, oh heck no. Picture it: a woman sitting with her face in perfect profile, skin bright against the background. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Just a year after their marriage, in 1855, the Count and Countess travelled to Paris, to the court of Napoleon the III of France. While there, she was granted a pension for her diplomatic accomplishments. Before you start screaming wtf victory rolls??! Chinese Woman and Marquise, 1861-1867. Well enter: The Countess of Castiglione. In the end, Oldoinis illicit dalliance with Napoleon III was as short-lived as it was tragic. I saw that exhibition at the Met! She lived in an apartment in the Place Vendme where she painted the rooms entirely in black and banned mirrors. Her birth name- Virginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoni, was as long as the legacy she left behind. . Um. Countess de Castiglione, from Srie des Roses, 1895 | Public Domain. Want to know more interesting facts? Do you ever watch movies in languages you cant understand? Search. She was . (originally appeared in the Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct 1898) A few superstitious Spaniards believe that the long series of misfortunes that has befallen Spain and . There was a problem subscribing you to this 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.. They had a son, Giorgio. Virginia gladly accepted the offer, with the condition of using any means necessary to lure the King. She had long, wavy blonde hair, a refined face, and a legendary figure. While she was lauded as Venus descended from Olympus, she was exceptionally self-absorbed. Children. She was noted for her fair complexion, delicate oval face, long blonde hair, and eyes that changed color from blue-violet to green. Find out more in our Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. In fact, you may not need to picture it; you may have already seen the image. La Comtesse de Castiglione (The eyes) by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 1863-1866 via ArtNet. Plus, you know, there was the whole other woman thing. The two women were exact opposites in many ways: Oldoini was liberal and fun-loving, while Eugenie was serious and devoted to her country. [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. She was a pioneer of a new artistic medium who also happened to be an emperor's open-secret fuck buddy. Sign up for our newsletter. . Kendra has been a fixture in the online costuming world since the late 1990s. She allegedly had an illicit love affair with a naval officer, right before the day of her marriage to the Count, tagging herself with an anarchist title. The Countess of Castiglione had no love lost for Empress Eugenie, Napoleon's wife. She often arrived near the end of public events, desiring to be known more than she desired to socialize. 20 Jan 2023 02:54:18 Artifice? The countess may have had a mystical hold over menbut her allure had one major flaw. His devotion led him to confide in his cousin. 10.25.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment. While many photos elevated her, her wardrobe, and the inventiveness of her spirit, other photosespecially those taken in her later yearswere unsettling or macabre. Glamorous, with an emphasis on form and fashion, the images were among the first of their kind. Shop for the best countess castiglione from our collection of exclusive, customized & handmade products. In 1871, things werent looking good for the Countess of Castiglione. The photo projects continued occasionally. Sure, the countess was beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep. La Dame de Coeurs, 1861-63. She also produced many photographs of herself depicting famous women from the Bible, history, and mythology. From 1856 to 1895, the Countess di Castiglionea great beauty and shameless narcissistcollaborated with photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson on more than 400 self-portraits. It was called "Nicchia". However, she left a legacy behind for 19th-century women to break conventional chains. The countesss response was swift and brutal. She titled the photo La Venegance, just to make her message extra clear. Creepily enough, her parents were totally fine with thisin fact, they took advantage of it in the worst way possible. The Countess of Castiglione began life as Virginia Oldoini, a celebrated beauty and a member of the minor nobility in Florence, Tuscany. Looking for countess castiglione online in India? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpDoq0k649w. 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. By 1860, their affair had soured, and the countess had completely lost favor at court. Sale Price 14.01 Dead Woman in the Bathtub: Why Are We So Fascinated by Ophelia's Suicide. Performance. According to reports from the time, they were constantly changing from green to a brilliant blue-violet. Turns out that while Napoleon and the countess were very pleased with themselves, Francesco wasnt so ecstatic, and her bitter husband soon demanded a separation. Shrouded from her husband, the Countess had undertaken an undisclosable mission proposed to her by Camilo. Instead, she preferred to stand in the middle of the room and let men fawn over her as if she were a shrine. That interaction revealed a wit that Napoleon III appreciated, but his attention was only fully captured when she appeared at a masked ball as a Decadent Roman Woman. (40% off), Keep collections to yourself or inspire other shoppers! He later scrawled furiously: Our separation is irrevocable. 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. But it turns out that Oldoini really shone when her back was up against the wall. 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. They'd posthumously be described by critics as more morbid, more disturbed, more deranged than her earlier work. 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. Visual content is copyrighted to its respective owners, and inclusion here is under fair use for criticism, comment, and news reporting purposes. 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. September 14, 2020. You might call her the Godmother of the staged Surrealist selfie. 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. The Countess of Castiglione was Italian; she was married off at age 17 to the count, who was 12 years older. She seems to have made being beautiful the cornerstone of her identity and so was unable to cope when she began to age, though she remained a fine looking woman she no longer matched her self image. 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. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. She revealed miles of porcelain legs and decorated her exposed toes with golden rings. The daughter of Tuscan nobles, her birth name wasdeep breath for thisVirginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoini. The Countess was known for her beauty and her flamboyant entrances in elaborate dress at the imperial court. The Contessa's Secret: Directed by Georges Combret. First, the fabric. She Was Born Into Privilege. Within her abode, the blinds were always drawn against the sunlight, and its rumored that she only left her home at night. HardtIllustrations. 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 . She replied in kind, No, Sire. Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione, is an unscrupulous and beautiful woman, in love with Andrea Pieri, a patriot | dHNfTkRzWV9WWDB3c2M. When Virginia was just 17 years old, her parents wasted no time in marrying her off to Francesco Verasis, the Count of Castiglione. And that's how she continues to exist: as an image, a face, a set of poses meticulously choreographed and endlessly marveled over. You cant very well go around calling your child a 30-syllable name, so it makes sense that Oldoinis parents dubbed their little girl Nicchia. There was one, and just exactly one, bright spot in Virginias marriage to her fuddy-duddy count: Their son together, Giorgio. After a lifetime of being camera ready, Oldoini passed on November 28, 1899. The photo was entitled La Vengeance. Thanks for your help! These portraits helped to shape her very deliberate, highly controlled public personaone that irked plenty of her peers. Victoria And Albert Museum. This did not shake our Countess as she was content with her new venture. By dying in 1899, she also missed out on the 20th centuryan era where photography would only continue to dominate media and society. La Castiglione lived and died for beauty, but her inner beauty wasnt up to the standards implied by her physical assets. Four months of attention-grabbing stunts were required for her to become Napoleons mistress. Guess what? In 1861, Italy unified into an official kingdom, thanks in no small part to the countesss tireless, breathy efforts. Growing up, it was clear to everyone who knew the girl that the young Oldoini was going to be a mega babe. She was also a significant figure in the early history of photography. You know youve made it when someone compares you to a literal goddess. The Divine Countess faced a not so divine death in 1899. 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. It's oval-shaped, holding a partial reflection of her faceeyes, nose, the top of her lips. Some of the images are sumptuous and witty. She was titled La divina Contessa literally translating to The Divine Countess for her beauty and charm. How Are Cotton Candy Grapes Made? Even after her tenure as a royal mistress, the countess played an important role in European politics. La comtesse de Castiglione - Passy, 1861-1867. 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. In the summer of 2014, she published a book on 18th-century wig and hair styling. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Yes! The opulence of these ladies is over the top. He commented that La Castiglione was a dull doll, implying that what she had in looks, she lacked in personality. in her 18th century get-up, swinging as Napoleon, Eugenie, and the court look on, in what is clearly a metaphor for Ok I will shag this guy for Italy.. People called her beauty a miracle and named her as la divinia contessa. 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. Now I know better. Uh, this didnt exactly go well for her. The Countess of Castiglione is one of the most bewildering woman known to history. Her interests include the European Renaissance, popular culture, and Internet history. Most tragically, this was not to be. Yes, but in film, swinging seems to have been used as a euphemism for sex I wonder how far back that goes? 1 Born into Novelty. Its said that she expected to be admired by those who shared her company, and that her conversation was often grating, as it centered around herself and her needs exclusively. The sexual allusion is well known and discussed among art historians and scholars of libertine culture of the 18th_C, I had an art history professor describe The Swing as an up-skirt par excellence!. Her cousin Camillo Benso was even a minister for the King of Sardinia. Directed and staged by the Countess, herself, and created in collaboration with the studio photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson . Browse 343 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 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. Robert de Montesquiou, a Symbolist poet, dandy, and avid art collector, was fascinated by the Countess di Castiglione. 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. You've already signed up for some newsletters, but you haven't confirmed your address. 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. 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. She was part of the demi-monde, women on the edge of society supported by wealthy lovers. Portrait Photography. The Countess of Castiglione, a ravishing Italian aristocrat living in 19th-century Paris, both captivated and . It wasnt boredom, but indiscretion which provoked Napoleon to discard her. The future countess was born Virginia Oldoini in 1837 in Florence; her father was a diplomat in what was . In 1940, the British discovered a partial human skeleton on the Pacific island of Nikumaroro. Browse 343 countess of castiglione stock photos and images available or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 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. 1:53. Hand-tinted photographs were regarded as both a luxury and a novelty. Quite expected from a Queen. She only ventured out of her gloomy residence at night-time, covering herself from head to toe in a black gown, and a veil over her face, ashamed of anyone getting a glimpse of her destitute state. The separation wasnt just an idle threat, either. The Countess de Castiglione was a rare creature indeed: a full-blown 19th-century narcissist with unlimited access to a camera. Countess of Castiglione (1837 - 1899), was a beautiful 19th-century Italian aristocrat. Pinterest. If Oldoini counted you among her closest friends, you might get a ridiculous memento from her. Oldoinis photograph was a warning shot to her estranged husband: In the portrait, the well-dressed countess was also holding a knife in her hand, half-hidden in the folds of her dress. Rumors of her perfect form and awe-inspiring visage flew from Italy through Europe and would ultimately determine the entire course of her life and work. (20% off), Sale Price 4.68 Most of the images they produced were of specific characters drawn from myth, art, literature, or the Bible, including Lady Macbeth, Anne Boleyn, the queen of Eritrea, Judith before beheading Holofernes, a nun, and even a corpse. 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. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. While at Napoleons court, the Countess of Castiglione became famous for more than just her sheet smarts; she was also a fashion plate. We know that the studio was luxurious; engravings show its salons, antechambers, vast porticos, enormous bay windows bathing the galleries with light. The Countess was a rebel, she did not conform to the traditional roles of a woman and a wife, as it was expected of her and did what she pleased. In her own writings, she refers to herself in the third person. Hey, you think a face that beautiful comes for free? Fitting one published a book on 18th-century wig and hair styling controlled public that! Legacy she left behind a member of the room and let men fawn over her as if were... Costuming world since the late 1990s to herself in the worst way possible it ; you may have seen. Porcelain legs and decorated her exposed toes with golden rings highly controlled public personaone that irked plenty of her,! 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