The Countess of Castiglione, Virginia Oldoïni, or as she is better known, La Castiglione was an aristocrat born in Florence (Italy). She was an important figure to the history of photography during the 19th century. Also, she achieved notoriety for her political influence due to her relationship with French emperor Napoleon III.
She was described as having wavy long hair, a fair complexion, a very delicate oval face with eyes that changed the colour very often from green to blue-violet. However, La Castiglione was not only famous for her beauty or her political influence. But also, for her flamboyant entrances at the imperial court, and for her elaborate dresses. One of her most eccentric outfits was the “Queen of hearts” costume.
Her Life
When she was 17, Oldoïni married the Count of Castiglione, Francesco Verasis who was twelve years her senior. They had a son, Giorgio. In , she and the Count travelled to Paris, by that time her cousin give her instructions to plead the cause of Italian unity with Napoleon III. The result was a scandal, she became famous for her relationship with the emperor, which made her husband demand a marital separation. In her affa
The Countess of Castiglione began life as Virginia Oldoini, a celebrated beauty and a member of the minor nobility in Florence, Tuscany. She was noted for her fair complexion, delicate oval face, long blonde hair, and eyes that changed color from blue-violet to green. 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.
A noble wedding
Her adult life began when her beauty and noble blood allowed her to become the Countess da Castiglione through marriage to Francesco Verasis. 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.
On an early trip to Paris, she and her husband met with Camillo, Count of Cavour. He served in a political role as a minister of the King of Sardinia, who desired the unification of Italy. Knowing that Napoleon III was easy to seduce, he begged the Countess of Castiglione to plead the case for Italian unification to the emperor. Camillo encouraged seduction in no uncertain terms when he told her to succeed using any means necessary.
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Who was Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione?
Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione, 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. She was also a significant figure in the early history of photography.
- Born
- Mar 22,
Florence- Also known as
- The Divine Countess
- Virginia Vérasis Oldoini
- Parents
- Spouses
- Children
- Religion
- Nationality
- Lived in
- Paris
( - )- Italy
( - )- Paris
( - )- Died
- Nov 28,
Paris- Resting place
- Père Lachaise Cemetery
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Submitted
on July 23,
“I equal the highest-born ladies with my birth, I surpass them with my beauty, and I judge them with my mind.” Thus spoke Virginia Oldoïni, Countess of Castiglione, who was convinced that she was the most beautiful woman since God had created Earth. With this attitude, she managed to lead not one, but several lives. Conspirator, a diplomat in petticoats, an emancipated courtesan, a pioneer of photography, an art director, and a producer, La Castiglione was, above all, a professional beauty. Aged only 18, married for a year, and mother of a male child, Virginia—Nicchia to family and friends—already managed to add several lovers to her stable of admirers in her native land. One of them was Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia, who dreamt of a united Italy.
A part of Northern Italy (in yellow) was then a territory of the Austrian Empire, and the Austrians were unwilling to part with it. An armed conflict could not be won without strong allies. One of the most desirable allies for this project was Napoleon III. Knowing the French monarch’s penchant for women, Victor Emmanuel and his minister Cavour (Virginia&#;s cousin) thought of the Pearl of Italy as Virginia was then kn
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