[Reine d'Etrurie] 1860s

Pierre-Louis Pierson made this albumen silver print, titled "Reine d'Etrurie," at an unknown date. But we can still interpret its cultural and historical context. Pierson was a successful portrait photographer in Paris during the Second Empire. His career was advanced by his close relationship with Countess Virginia di Castiglione, the purported subject of this image. She was an Italian aristocrat known for her beauty and her role as a spy. In Pierson's photographs, Castiglione often adopted theatrical poses and costumes. This performative aspect reflects the culture of celebrity that emerged in the 19th century, fostered by the rise of mass media and commercial photography. The Countess actively shaped her public image through these photographs, blurring the lines between private identity and public persona. Understanding this image requires that we research the social and political context of the Second Empire, the history of photography, and the biography of the Countess di Castiglione. These are crucial aspects if we are to understand the complex interplay of power, gender, and representation in Pierson's art.