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Now I know better. Most tragically, this was not to be. She was also a significant figure in the early history of photography. [6], Virginia spent her declining years in an apartment in the Place Vendme, where she had the rooms decorated in funeral black, the blinds kept drawn, and mirrors banishedapparently so she would not have to confront her advancing age and loss of beauty. Linocut La Castiglione in the mirror. It's the sort of thing that pops up regularly all over the internet, unmoored from context or time period. 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. Between her busy schedule romancing Napoleon, the countess also found time for another juicy hobby: She loved taking vain photos. 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. Suddenly, her regime of funereal black rooms, veils, and never leaving the house makes tragic sense. Keep in mind that anyone can view public collectionsthey may also appear in recommendations and other places. Tags1860sCountess of CastiglioneEmpress EugenieGino Sensanigreat hairinspired by a true storyItalyNapoleon IIIshuddup I love biopics. And that's how she continues to exist: as an image, a face, a set of poses meticulously choreographed and endlessly marveled over. By 1860, their affair had soured, and the countess had completely lost favor at court. Edwardian Era. 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 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. Great! She replied in kind, No, Sire. She wasnt cheap, either. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. Hand-tinted photographs were regarded as both a luxury and a novelty. 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 mysterious recluse notorious for her numerous love affairs.She was born to a noble Florentine family and at 17 she married . If so, her final hours were gruesome: she was eaten by a swarm of giant coconut crabs. Well, today we're going to talk about the woman considered the queen of selfies and a true pioneer of photography in general. Courtiers were delighted with her flamboyant entrances to parties, and her costumes were always impeccable. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. But it turns out that Oldoini really shone when her back was up against the wall. As an older woman robbed of the beauty that defined her, La Castiglione left the world quietly, in isolation and in darkness. 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. Her room was painted black, windows sealed and mirrors removed from every nook and cranny. The Countess of Castiglione in collaboration with Pierre-Louis Pierson. Read more: Marie Antoinette Syndrome: Overnight Highlights! Even after her tenure as a royal mistress, the countess played an important role in European politics. But then the Countess took the feud to the next level. This scandalous move of hers took the forum by surprise. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Commissioned by the countess herself and created under her supervision, the images more . Captcha failed to load. There are masks and silk robes and, in one photograph, just a bedspread draped suggestively. understated; she did everything from choosing the camera angle to painting the photographs herself. How Are Cotton Candy Grapes Made? Within her abode, the blinds were always drawn against the sunlight, and its rumored that she only left her home at night. . First, the fabric. 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. What actually happened was even more disastrous. So, I basically got about 1% of the dialogue, and very little of the story, so it was basically like watching a beautiful silent film. This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. She was an important figure to the history of photography during the 19th century. That same year, she returned to France and settled in Passy. She was also a significant figure in the early history of photography. A pioneering model and a bounty of Narcissism , she took self love to a completely different tangent. P. Petra von Straks. The Countess Castiglione. 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. Watch fullscreen. As one of her contemporaries put it more sharply, After a few momentsshe began to get on your nerves. 1:53. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. 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. Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione (22 March 1837 - 28 November 1899), better known as La Castiglione, was born to an aristocratic family from La Spezia.She was a 19th-century Italian aristocrat who achieved notoriety as a mistress of Emperor Napoleon III of France. All Rights Reserved. In 1871, things werent looking good for the Countess of Castiglione. From her bedroom exploits to her tragic downfall, the Countess of Castiglione is one historical figure worth knowing. It wasnt boredom, but indiscretion which provoked Napoleon to discard her. Italian Virginia Oldoini , countess of Castiglione , she was the spy of french emperor NapoleonIII, here photo by Pierre-Louis Pierson with gouache. In 1856 she began sitting for Mayer and Pierson, photographers favored by the imperial court. The future countess was born Virginia Oldoini in 1837 in Florence; her father was a diplomat in what was . . Ignored by her father, she was educated by her grandfather Ranieri Lamporecchi. Thanks! 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. In 1861, Italy unified into an official kingdom, thanks in no small part to the countesss tireless, breathy efforts. The Countess of Castiglione made her mark in very difficult times. Yep, he wanted Oldoini to become a spybut that wasnt all he instructed her to do. As Napoleon IIIs mistress, La Castiglione certainly influenced his views on Italyand she reported those conversations to the men who set this task for her. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Italian Virgiana Oldoini , countess of Castiglione , she was the spy of french emperor NapoleonIII, holding an oval picture frame up to her eye,. Her adult life began when her beauty and noble blood allowed her to become the Countess da Castiglione through marriage to Francesco Verasis. Her arrogance was stupendous. Kendra is a librarian at a university, specializing in history and fashion. Behind her sits a child, his face blurred and ghostly mid-motion. The Countess returned to Italy in 1857 when her affair with Napoleon III was over. If so, then presumably swings and sex will have been connected since they were first invented. Genealogy profile for Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione. 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). Oldoini showed an eerie attachment to her only son Giorgio, but it didnt stop at doting. She was a diplomat, an opportunistic fashion rebel and a pioneer in the self-constructed photographic image. She was renowned for her beauty, which helped take her life in a couple of interesting directions. 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. 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 . Sign up for our newsletter. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpDoq0k649w. He asked Virginia to travel to Paris and convince Napoleon the III to be their aide in the unification of Italy. But as she aged she grew more reclusive, living in a house without mirrors. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Her cousin Camillo Benso was even a minister for the King of Sardinia. Virginia gladly accepted the offer, with the condition of using any means necessary to lure the King. Just a year after their marriage, in 1855, the Count and Countess travelled to Paris, to the court of Napoleon the III of France. There was one, and just exactly one, bright spot in Virginias marriage to her fuddy-duddy count: Their son together, Giorgio. Does Fragonards painting have the same subtext? She is completing her PhD in Toronto, Canada. | Gown for the Comtesse di Castiglione, Ert (Romain de Tirtoff), 1861-1867, LACMA. As her name implies, Oldoinis parents had big expectations for the little girlexpectations that would soon ruin her entire life. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. They had a son, Giorgio. Countess of Castiglione Facts. Her last years were eccentric, but as in most of her endeavors, her youthful beauty drove her decisions. My mom never told me how her best friend died. Upon receipt of this photo, her husband quieted and left the boy with his mother. The Countess of Castiglione, a ravishing Italian aristocrat living in 19th-century Paris, both captivated and . 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." She went back in 1861 and stayed for goodgetting into a lot more trouble in the meantime. Kendra has been a fixture in the online costuming world since the late 1990s. The two women were exact opposites in many ways: Oldoini was liberal and fun-loving, while Eugenie was serious and devoted to her country. Want to know more interesting facts? The Countess of Castiglione, Virginia Oldoni, or as she is better known, La Castiglione was an aristocrat born in Florence (Italy). Once she even used this photographic art to communicate with others. The fashion choice let Eugenie know that even if she wasnt Empress, the countess still reigned over Napoleons heart. Count Franceso went with her, and everybody knows that a middle-aged husband can really cramp your courtesan style. Flavio Calzavara. And that wasnt all. ", For More Stories Like This, Sign Up for Our Newsletter. Giorgio Verasis di Castiglione (1855-1879) 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. Before you start screaming wtf victory rolls??! To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. In 1855, she had a brief affair with King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, who nicknamed her "Nini". One photograph, just a bedspread draped suggestively as a royal mistress, the blinds were always.. The spy of french emperor NapoleonIII, here photo by Pierre-Louis Pierson 1871, things werent looking good the! Countess da Castiglione through marriage to her only son Giorgio, but it didnt stop at doting son! Ruin her entire life by 1860, their affair had soured, and rumored. Blood allowed her to do thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each.! Communicate with others the next level in Virginias marriage to Francesco Verasis shone when her affair with King Victor II... In most of her endeavors, her final hours were gruesome: she was also a significant figure the. 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