Casati, Luisa, Marchesa |
| SOCIALITE, PATRON OF THE ARTS, HEIR (ITALY) |
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BORN 23 Jan 1881, Milano, Lombardia - DIED 1 Jun 1957, London: 32 Beaufort Gardens, Kensington BIRTH NAME Amman, Luisa Adele Rosa Maria CAUSE OF DEATH stroke GRAVE LOCATION London: Brompton Cemetery, Old Brompton Road, West Brompton (1 (left of AC)) |
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Luisa Casati was known as a beauty. She was the daughter of the textile manufacturer Alberto von Amman and his wife Lucia, born Bressi. Her parents were both dead by the time she was fifteen years old and she may have been among the wealthiest women of Italy. In 1900 she married the young Italian marquess Camillo Casati (1877-1946). One year later their daughter and only child Cristina (1901-1953) was born. She and her husband held separate residences during their marriage, and she started a long term love affair with Gabriele d'Annunzio, with whom she investigated the occult. In 1914 she and her husband separated legally, but they never divorced. She had become a celebrity in Italian society and in 1910 she moved to the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in Venice (now the art museum that houses the Peggy Guggenheim Collection). She dressed outrageous and was known for the parties at her house. Many artists painted or sculpted her, among them Giovani Boldini, Kees van Dongen, Jacob Epstein and Augustus John. She was photographed by Man Ray. From 1919 to 1920 she lived at Villa San Michele in Capri and her time there was described by Compton Mackenzie in his diaries. In 1930 she was in debt for $25 million. She was declared bankrupt and her posessions were auctioned off. Casati fled to London. There she lived in hotels and in a one room flat. She was supported by her daughter and by Augustus John, who had painted her in 1919. In London she knew Cecil Beaton, Peter Quennell, Philippe Julian and Quentin Crisp. She died in 1957. Related persons • was painted by Boldini, Giovanni • was painted by Brooks, Romaine • was the lover of D'Annunzio, Gabriele • was sculpted by Epstein, Jacob • was photographed by Man Ray |
| Images | |
 The grave of Luisa Marchesa Casati at Brompton Cemetery, London. Picture by Androom (13 May 2011) |
 The grave of Luisa Marchesa Casati at Brompton Cemetery, London. Picture by Androom (13 May 2011) |
Sources • Luisa Casati - Wikipedia (EN) |
