Scherzo di Follia ["Game of Madness"] (c. 1863-1866)
Portrait of Countess Virginia Oldoini Verasis di Castiglione
by Pierre-Louis Pierson
French, 1822-1913
Pierre-Louis Pierson was renowned for his exquisite portrait photography. His photography studio was frequented by much of Paris high society, businessmen, and visiting diplomats. He was also the portrait photographer of the French imperial family during the apex of the Second Empire.
Many people from all walks of life and economic backgrounds posed in front of Pierson's lens, but most enduring collaboration was with the Countess of Castiglione, Virginia Oldoini Verasias, a woman who defied societal norms and expectations. He first met her in 1856, and he remained her official photographer for forty years.
Born in 1835, the Countess became a sensation in Paris in the 1850s. Her allure and beauty captured the attention of Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew, Napoleon III, and she swiftly became his mistress and a much-talked-about ornament of the lavish balls during that period. After the fall of the Second Empire in 1870, she led an increasingly secluded existence, shrouded in veils, and her mental stability declined.
In this photograph, Countess Verasis gazes at the camera through an oval picture frame, isolating one of her eyes. The composition is both enigmatic and intriguing. The title, “Scherzo di Follia” (which translates to “Game of Madness”), adds to the mystery. Is it a playful game or a deeper exploration of her psyche?
Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging