Great Hair Fridays - Virginia Oldoini, Countess di Castiglione

Virginia Oldoini, Countess di Castiglione, also know as La Castiglione, was an Italian aristocrat who for a short time was a mistress of Emperor Napoleon III of France. The Countess was also a significant figure in the early history of photography and today, a perfect candidate for Great Hair Fridays.

From a fascinating article at the MET -

Fascinated by her own beauty, the countess would attempt to capture all its facets and re-create for the camera the defining moments of her life. Far from being merely a passive subject, it was she who decided the expressive content of the images and assumed the art director's role, even to the point of choosing the camera angle. She also gave precise directions on the enlargement and repainting of her images in order to transform the simple photographic documents into imaginary visions—taking up the paintbrush herself at times. Her painted photographs are among the most beautiful examples of the genre.

 There is a lot going on in this photo! Her hair, her gown with all that trim, the fan ... wow!

 

Virginia Oldoini, Countess di Castiglione posing as “Elvira,” circa 1861-1867

 This one almost looks modern. With her wild looking hair she would fit right in with some of today's runway models.

Virginia Oldoini, Countess di Castiglione

The Countess posed for a series of pictures in her elaborate costumes. You can view some of those pictures here.