An Austrian-Italian heiress, The Marchesa’s famous eccentricities were the headlines of society in Europe for nearly 30 years. Casati commissioned hundreds of self portraits, paintings and sculptures, in her quest for immortality. Augustus John’s portrait of her is one of the most popular paintings at the Art Gallery of Ontario; Jack Kerouac wrote poems about it. She may well be the most artistically represented woman in history, after Cleopatra and the Virgin Mary.
The Marchesa Luisa Casati is a muse to artists and designers to this day. Legendary designer Alberta Ferretti’s Autumn/Winter 2016-17 collection is completely inspired by Casati. The current collection (2016/17) by renowned designer Dries Van Noten is in homage to Casati and her love affair with Gabriele D’Annunzio.