The Countess de Castiglione (ca.1856–57)
Pierre-Louis Pierson
French, 1822–1913
Salt print with pigment
This hand-colored photograph features Virginia Oldioni, the Countess de Castiglione. Between 1856 and 1895, the Countess worked with photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson to create more than 400 self-portraits. Fascinated by photography’s capacity to shape identity, the Countess played a direct role in the creation of each work. She chose outfits, determined poses and directed Pierson on how to enlarge some of her images.
To me it appears as if her body just disappeared into the sofa, I was looking for her legs under the maroon cover and didn’t see them.
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Good observation, her legs are non existent. 🙂
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I love the color composition of the painting, and I agree with David, that her body looks like disappears into the sofa. A unique portraiture!
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Definitely an interesting pose. 🙂
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Fascinating- both the hand-colored photo and the description!
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Thanks Tiny, I thought the hand painted photo was interesting as well. 🙂
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I got so interested in their collaboration that I ended up checking out many other photos as well 😄
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Beautiful colors, very stern appearing lady! 🙂
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She was an interesting lady, Napoleon’s mistress and a recluse in her later years.
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lovely artwork.
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Very interesting!
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She was indeed.
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I wonder if she was as severe in person as she looks in the portrait.
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I suspect she might have been, she was very vain.
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