“But she is beautiful.
So pretty.
» In front of the Klimt painting which inspired her novel, Camille de Peretti has difficulty masking her emotion.
At the entrance to the Aosta Valley, in Italy, more than 400 m high, the majestic Fort of Bard welcomes this winter a renowned guest, a beautiful unknown woman painted by the Austrian artist in 1910. Under glass in its Art Deco frame, the only work on display, “Portrait of a Lady” illuminates this windowless room.
Her hair pulled up in a demure bun, her eyes a little lost, a white shawl with a flower pattern on her shoulders, it's true that she is very beautiful.
But who was this young woman born probably near Vienna at the end of the 19th century?
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No one knows.
Just as no expert has succeeded in unraveling the incredible mystery of this painting which was retouched by Klimt, purchased by an Italian collector in 1916 then stolen at the end of the 1990s before reappearing by magic.
When, a few years ago, a friend sent him a press article on the history of this newly found painting because he found that the young Austrian model looked like him, Camille de Peretti got carried away.
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