Description: (Countess)
Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione, also known as La Castiglione, was an Italian aristocrat recognized for her significant contributions to the early development of photography. She gained renown as a mistress of Emperor Napoleon III of France and leveraged her influence to advance her political aspirations. Actively involved in crafting her public persona, Countess of Castiglione pioneered the use of meticulously arranged photographic portraits to shape her image, establishing herself as a key figure in the history of photography.