Luisa Casati

Marquise Luisa Casati (born as Luisa Amman, in Milan, 23.11.1881 died in London, 1.6.1957) has been an italian art collector "For the first three decades of the twentieth century, the fabled Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881-1957) attained a reputation as the brightest star in European society. Possibly the most artistically represented woman in history after the Virgin Mary and Cleopatra, the portraits, sculptures and photographs of her would fill a gallery. In a quest for immortality, she had herself painted by Boldini, Augustus John, Van Dongen and Zuloaga; sketched by Drian, Martini and Alastair; sculpted by Balla, Barjansky and Epstein; and photographed by Man Ray, Beaton and de Meyer. She fascinated Diaghilev, frightened Artur Rubinstein, angered Aleister Crowley and intimidated T.E. Lawrence. As muse to the Italian futurists Marinetti, Balla and Boccioni, she conjured up an elaborate marionette show with music by Ravel. Bakst, Poiret, Fortuny and Erté dressed her. She gave parties where Nijinsky invited Isadora Duncan to dance. Everywhere she went, she set trends, inspired genius and astounded even the most jaded members of the international aristocracy".