Portrait of Lina Cavalieri 1901

Giovanni Boldini painted this portrait of Lina Cavalieri in oil on canvas at an unknown date. Boldini was known for his portraits of fashionable women, and Cavalieri was a celebrated opera singer, an icon of beauty and elegance. The image speaks to the commodification of beauty and celebrity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Consider the social context of this portrait. During the Belle Époque in Europe, art became increasingly intertwined with commerce and mass culture. Artists like Boldini catered to wealthy patrons, creating images that reinforced their status and ideals. Cavalieri herself was part of this culture, using her image to cultivate fame and fortune. To understand this artwork better, we could research the history of celebrity culture, the role of women in the arts, and the patronage system that supported artists like Boldini. Examining fashion magazines, theater programs, and other period sources could help us understand the social world in which this portrait was created and consumed.