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The Countess de Castiglione

Artist Pierre-Louis Pierson (French, 1822 - 1913)
Date1860s; printed ca. 1930
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 10 15/16 x 14 1/8 inches (27.78 x 35.88 cm)
Sheet: 10 15/16 x 14 1/8 inches (27.78 x 35.88 cm)
Credit LineGift of the Hall Family Foundation
Object number2013.9.14
Signednone
InscribedWritten on back of sheet, upper left, in pencil "Csse de Castiglione" Written on back of sheet, center, in pencil "98" Written on back of sheet, right edge, in pencil "No 34 (268)"
Markingsnone
On View
Not on view
Collections
DescriptionProfile image of the Countess Castiglione dressed in an elaborate gown with a small child on the left edge of the frame and repeated again on the right.Gallery Label
Standing on a pedestal to display the enormity of her gown, the countess’s powdered white hair accentuates the ostrich feathers of her tilted hat. Every detail of her presentation is carefully considered for maximum effect, yet the extraneous details of Pierson’s studio are also in full view. Castiglione worked closely with Pierson, overseeing all aspects of the postproduction of her portraits, including cropping, enlarging, and hand coloring. This photograph—which features the odd repetition of the left side of the image on the right side—includes many details that would have later been removed from the final print.
Provenance
Purchased from Vintage Works, Chalfort, PA by The Hall Family Foundation, Kansas City, MO, 2013;   
Their gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2013.
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.


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