She could be seen strutting through Venice in the dark of night, with nothing but a fur coat on, as she walked her two pet cheetahs. Once described “as beautiful as a black panther, and also as dangerous”, this mysterious woman was one of the wealthiest and most outlandish characters in all of the 20th century.

In this episode we share the incredible life story of the Marchesa Luisa Casati, an Italian heiress who used her fortune to create a life of her wildest imagination. She was also one of the most important patrons of her time. She was painted by Giovanni Boldini, photographed by Man Ray, and sculpted by Jacob Epstein. It’s believed that Luisa commissioned over two hundred separate portraits of herself, with the aim to “commission her immortality”.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

Listen to Part Two of ArtMuse's episode on Lady Emma Hamilton.

In Part One we explored Emma’s impoverished beginnings, how she became the mistress to Charles Greville, and her successful partnership with the painter George Romney.

In Part Two we continue Emma's incredible story. In it we are taken from Marie Antoinette's prison cell, to the heart of the Napoleonic war, and finally back to England. We explore her steamy relationship with famed war general Horatio Nelson, and finally, her tragic end.

In this episode we honor Lady Emma Hamilton's immense legacy, as not only muse, but as an important historic figure in her own right.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

Listen to Part One of ArtMuse’s episode on Lady Emma Hamilton. Born into severe poverty, Emma Hamilton worked her way to eventually become England’s first female celebrity. Her life story is so unfathomable, that it almost sounds like a riveting work of fiction. In it, we are taken from the filthy streets of London’s back alleys, to England’s fashionable countryside, to the dazzling royal courts of Naples. Emma’s path crossed with some of the greatest names of eighteenth century history, from George Romney and Joshua Reynolds, to General Horatio Nelson, to even Marie Antoinette. Her story is a tale of hope, grandeur, everlasting love, and devastating heartbreak.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

In Part One we explored Madame de Pompadour's beginnings, the fortune teller’s prophecy that she would one day become the King’s mistress, and the magical start of her romance with the King.

In Part Two we explore Madame de Pompadour's patronage of the arts, the many wondrous portraits of her by Boucher, and her eventual rise from mistress to political advisor, taking charge of France's domestic and foreign affairs.

In this episode, we honor Madame de Pompadour's immense legacy. She not only fulfilled her impossible destiny by becoming the first woman of middle class origins to become the King’s mistress, she then worked her way up the royal court until she was the most powerful woman in all of France.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

Listen to Part One of ArtMuse's episode on Madame de Pompadour, the official mistress of King Louis XV, who became the first woman of Bourgeoisie origins to ever become the King’s mistress in the French Royal Court.

And she was much more than just a mistress. As the years went on, Madame de Pompadour eventually graduated from mistress to the King’s political advisor and became involved with domestic and foreign affairs.

She was also an important patron of the arts. She was Boucher’s favorite model and can be found in nine separate portraits by him. Through her patronage, Madame de Pompadour greatly influenced and inspired the development of the Rococo style.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

She stands, tall, in her black dress, the epitome of class, style, and grace. Suspended in time as a relic from a gilded age of the past, her effortless attitude has made her cooler than cool for well over a century. Dubbed Madame X, her identity has been clouded in mystery, only adding to her allure. But in this episode we give Madame X back her name and share her incredible life story.

Listen to ArtMuse’s episode on Virginie Amélie Gautreau, an American-born socialite who sent shock waves through Paris with her avant-garde outfits and experimental make-up. Her story traverses the Atlantic, taking us from the French Quarter of New Orleans to Paris at the height of its golden age.

In this episode, we explore her rise to celebrity status and the infamous painting that led to it all crashing down.

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

Listen to ArtMuse’s episode on Simonetta Vespucci, a Genoese noblewoman living in Florence during the 15th century. Deemed the most beautiful woman in all of Florence, Simonetta captured the heart of Florence’s greatest leaders, artists, poets, and intellectuals of her time.

It is believed that Simonetta was the model for Botticelli’s two greatest works; The Birth of Venus and Primavera.

But Simonetta Vespucci’s real life has been clouded by longheld folklore and fantasy. In this episode, we peel back the many layers of myth and give Simonetta, as a woman in her own right, the recognition she deserves.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Please FOLLOW and RATE ArtMuse on Spotify and SUBSCRIBE and REVIEW our show on Apple Podcasts.

Instagram/TikTok/Youtube/BuyMeACoffee

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

Listen to Part Two of ArtMuse’s episode on Audrey Munson, America’s first supermodel, who not only modeled for countless important sculptures in New York City, but all across the United States.

Sadly, Audrey Munson is perhaps America’s first example of the cruel rise and fall of celebrity status. By the early 1920’s, Audrey’s life was filled with continuous challenges and tragedies.

Today her face, forever immortalized in bronze, stone, and copper throughout New York City, stares back at us, like a ghost from a haunted past.

In this episode, we bring her life and legacy the justice she deserves.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Please FOLLOW and RATE ArtMuse on Spotify and SUBSCRIBE and REVIEW our show on Apple Podcasts.

Instagram/TikTok/Youtube/BuyMeACoffee

Today’s episode was written by me, your host, Grace Anna.

I have included images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.