Author(s): Scot D. Ryersson

Art

"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.