Lina Cavalieri and Fornasetti’s ‘Tema E Variazioni’ — Lina Cavalieri was a 19th century opera singer, monologist, and world renowned beauty. During the Belle Époque period she was deemed "The World's Most Beautiful Woman". Arguably the very first “Supermodel”, her image was everywhere from postcards to portraits by artists like Antonio de La Gándara and Giovanni Boldini. She was the most photographed star of her time. — much later in 1952 she would lead an Italian artist on a lifelong creative voyage. Piero Fornasetti was characterised by an unstoppable creative flair, and curiosity that made him one of the most prolific figures of the 20th century art and design world. Difficult to ascribe to a specific artistic movement, Fornasetti was first bewitched by the visage of Lina Cavalieri after spotting her in an old magazine. Enthralled by her classical beauty, formal features and hypnotic gaze, Fornasetti first embarked on a sojourn to paint ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’ in 1952 — and he never stopped. Fornasetti’s artistic obsession was ignited by the ever-alluring icon. He let his imagination run wild, to such an extent that nearly 400 different interpretations of her face exist today. This is the back story of Fornasetti’s ‘Tema E Variazioni’.. * * * * * #artnerd #linacavalieri #pierofornasetti #giovaniboldini #AntoniodeLaGándara #instagramers #artists #muse #arthistorynerd #Supergorgeousness #learningtosee #inspirationiseverywhere #artfag https://www.instagram.com/p/CHynEiMrl9n/?igshid=1orldnev9dxvz
