Product Description

"The Marchesa Casati" is a visual biography told through a collection of photographs, paintings and illustrations of the legendary and eccentric socialite Marchesa Luisa Casati. Known for her extravagant lifestyle and strange beauty, Casati was the muse for a number of influential photographers, painters and designers throughout the 20th century. During the first half of the twentieth century, Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881-1957) was Europe's most notorious celebrity. Her eccentric personality and scandalous escapades captivated some of the most influential artists of her time. She was painted by Boldini, sketched by Drian and photographed by Man Ray, among others. Jack Kerouac dedicated poems to her; Fortuny, Poiret and Erte dressed her. She continues to inspire top designers today. "The Marchesa Casati" is a visual biography, telling Casati's captivating life story alongside the art and designs she has inspired, featuring over 150 images. Family photographs, paintings, sculptures and photographs illustrate the artistic and cultural legacy she left behind. This book also includes an introductory essay by acclaimed New Yorker writer Judith Thurman and an afterword by Lady Moorea Black, Casati's granddaughter and only living relative.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18835 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

About the Author
Scot D. Ryersson is an award-winning writer, illustrator and graphic designer. Michael Orlando Yaccarino is a freelance writer specialising in international genre film, fashion and unconventional historical figures.

Customer Reviews

Great illustrated book
This book is a perfect complement to Infinite Variety: life and legend of the Marchesa Casati written by the same authors. It's a collection of over 150 images and pictures of the Marchesa (paintings of the Marchesa, pictures of young Luisa and her family, pictures of the costumes she wore and of her many homes). It is an illustrated biography, so there is also a lot to read (although I still suggest the reading of Infinite Variety). The book is divided in chapters: a useless introduction by Diane von Fustenberg (she might be good with clothes, but she shouldn't be allowed to write); a very good foreword by Judith Thurman (writer and contributor to the New Yorker); an afterword by Luisa's granddaughter. There are the pictures of Luisa taken by Man Ray (gorgeous); some Vogue articles on the parties at the Marchesa's; some of the collages made by Luisa when she was penniless, living in London; many amazing paintings by Boldini; portraits by Augustus John; photos of Luisa in Poiret's costumes; pictures and paintings of the late Luisa; a very big (maybe too big) chapter dedicated to the legend of the Marchesa and all the movies and theatrical pieces about her life (with photos of Liz Taylor, Bergman and so on) as well as photos of fashion collections inspired by the Marchesa (Marchesa, Dior, Lagerfeld, Tom Ford).
This is definitely a nice book to have (especially if you have an empty coffee table in your living room).