Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione (1837 – 1899), was a beautiful 19th-century Italian aristocrat.
1. Upon moving to Paris in 1855, she achieved notoriety...
2. ...as a mistress of Emperor Napoleon III of France.
3. She was known for her great beauty...
4. ...vanity...
5. ...and eccentricity.
6. The countess spent her fortune on elaborate dresses...
7. ...and costumes.
8. Often making flamboyant entrances into society parties.
9. Which shocked Parisian high society.
10. But it was in the world of photography...
11. ...where the countess left her real legacy.
12. She served as a model...
13. ...muse...
14. ...and collaborator...
15. ...of imperial court photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson.
16. Unlike most models, though...
17. ...The countess dictated all aspects of her photos....
18. ...creating the scenarios...
19. ...and characters herself.
20. The countess spent a large part of her personal fortune on the photos.
21. Even going into debt to execute her project.
22. Over her 40-year collaboration with Pierson...
23. ....the countess appeared in more than 700 photographs.
24. Leaving behind beautiful...
25. ...and surreal photos.
Biographical information via: The New York Times and Wikipedia.