Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Categories: Europe | History

Virginia Elisabeta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoini was born into an aristocratic family in 1837 in Florence. Later she became known in Parisian society as the Countess Di Castiglione or just La Castiglione, the favorite of the last monarch of France, Napoleon III, the first beauty and favorite model of the court photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson.

At the age of 17 , the girl was married to the Italian Count Francesco di Castiglione, 12 years her senior, and in 1855 she gave birth to his son. During the Countess's journey through Paris, her cousin, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia, gave her the task of persuading Napoleon III not to hinder the unification of Italy. As a result, Virginia became the emperor's mistress, which her husband was not at all happy about and filed for divorce. The connection with the ruler of France opened the doors for the beauty to the society of members of the royal family.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century The extraordinary beauty of the Italian woman attracted the court photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson, who made about 400 portraits of her.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century Pierson liked to shoot the Countess in theatrical costumes, in different poses and separately her legs.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX centuryPortrait of the Countess by Michele Gordigiani

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century Moreover, the photographer only took pictures, it was Virginia who chose the pose, dress, scenery and angle.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century So we can safely call the Countess the first model. She also did the final editing, sent photos to print and often painted on top of them.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century The Countess starred in luxurious and elegant dresses that she wore at court.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century Over time, she looked for inspiration for new outfits in the theater, ancient myths and literature. It is also known about several pictures of her bare legs, which are somewhat voyeuristic in nature.

With age, the countess withdrew from society and became an eccentric recluse, not wanting to see herself and show others what time had done to her. She lived in a mansion with curtained mirrors and black-covered walls, went outside only at night.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

The Countess died in 1899 at the age of 62 from apoplexy, leaving behind a collection of photographs, several novels dedicated to her and one biography.

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX centuryVirginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX centuryVirginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Virginia Oldoini — Countess, mistress of the Emperor and the first model of the XIX century

Keywords: XIX century | Paris | Portrait | Favorite | Photographer | Fashion model | France

Post News Article

Recent articles

"They buried as many soldiers as could fit in the hole": about the differences between German and Soviet graves
"They buried as many soldiers as could fit in the ...

Unfortunately, during the war, it was rarely possible to hand over the bodies of the dead to their relatives. During particularly ...

A slit throat and a shot in the head: the story of the unkillable hockey player Malarchuk
A slit throat and a shot in the head: the story of the ...

In life, every person has a case when he is on the verge of death. Sometimes fate gives you one chance, rarely more. Canadian ...

5 barbaric methods of treatment practiced by our ancestors
5 barbaric methods of treatment practiced by our ancestors

Folk remedies used to treat ailments in Russia were numerous and varied. The carriers of knowledge about the means and methods of ...

Related articles

American found color photo of the Indians of the late nineteenth century
American found color photo of the Indians of the late ...

Filmmaker Paul Ratner (Paul Ratner) revealed a passion for studying old photographs of Indians during the filming of the film ...

30 unique views of old Paris
30 unique views of old Paris

Paris is an amazing and magical city, with streets on both banks of the Seine. Its historical center has been developing for many ...

Dora Maar: history's most influential Picasso's Muse
Dora Maar: history's most influential Picasso's Muse

In the life of the great Pablo Picasso had many women, but one of them was in the artist's life a special place. Dora Maar was the ...