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The Marchesa Casati: Portraits of a Muse
by
Scot D. Ryersson,
Michael Orlando Yaccarino, Michael Yaccarino, Diane Von Furstenberg , Judith Thurman
"I want to be a living work of art."--
The Marchesa Luisa Casati
During the first half of the twentieth century, the Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881-1957) was Europe's most notorious celebrity. Her extravagant lifestyle, eccentric personality, and scandalous escapades captivated and inspired some of the most influential artists of her time. She was painted by Boldini and Augustu...more
The Marchesa Luisa Casati
During the first half of the twentieth century, the Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881-1957) was Europe's most notorious celebrity. Her extravagant lifestyle, eccentric personality, and scandalous escapades captivated and inspired some of the most influential artists of her time. She was painted by Boldini and Augustu...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
October 1st 2009
by Harry N. Abrams
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A free-spirited heiress living a lavish life of scandal, sex, and outrageous fashion – perhaps a description of Paris Hilton’s antics? But while said contemporary heiress’s escapages leave a fleeting impression, the Italian-born Marchesa Casati immortalized herself as muse, cultural icon, and arts and fashion patron. This visual Biography presents a luscious collection of paintings, photographs, and venerable costumes that attempt to penetrate the enigma of the Marchesa, born in 1881 to an afflu...more
I started reading this with a certain fascination, and finished it with absolute contempt, not for the book itself, but for the subject.
Casati was a narcissistic, deluded, self indulgent delinquent, who squandered her fathers hard earned fortune on her quest for celebrity.
The book itself is visually beautiful, showing the many Casati portraits (mostly commissioned by herself) by some of the most talented artists of the day; Giovanni Boldini, Kees van Dongen and Augustus John in particular.
The b...more
Casati was a narcissistic, deluded, self indulgent delinquent, who squandered her fathers hard earned fortune on her quest for celebrity.
The book itself is visually beautiful, showing the many Casati portraits (mostly commissioned by herself) by some of the most talented artists of the day; Giovanni Boldini, Kees van Dongen and Augustus John in particular.
The b...more
Beyond muse, one can almost dream of her on a daily basis. Casati is one amazing figure in avant-garde art history. Turn of the century but a totally new type of person/woman. What we have here collected in this volume are the portraits of her. Iconic as hell, and beautiful as a woman can be who used to parade her pair of leopards on a lease down the street.
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Oct 22, 2009
Also, Safety Math
marked it as to-read
It's about time! I could probably give this 5 stars without even looking at it. But I won't, 'cause that's cheating.
This serves as a brilliant introduction into the fascinating character that was the Marchesa Luisa Casati. Illustrated with a plethora of wonderfully reproduced paintings, drawings and photographs from her life. A richly produced book, but the section on her influence in fashion at the reverse included some rather aesthetically unappealing creations.
All in all recommended as a lavish volume to display and peruse with relish.
All in all recommended as a lavish volume to display and peruse with relish.
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“For a summer of drug abuse on the island of Capri, she packed a wardrobe of black Morticia gowns, dyed her hair green, and paraded through the village streets with a crystal ball, followed by a retainer in gold body paint.”
—
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