"Pale Rose" Liane de Pugy - the most coveted courtesan of the Belle Époque

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The period of the last decades of the XIX-early XX centuries. called the Belle Epoque, when the minds of the crowd were seized by the beauties of the artist. They might not have outstanding acting talents, but they attracted people with their (often fictional) exotic biographies, eccentric behavior. Most of them found patrons and led a comfortable existence. One of the most famous ladies of the half-world of that time is called Liane de Puji … With her sexual emancipation, the courtesan worried not only men, but also women.

The future courtesan Liane de Pugy (real name Anne-Marie de Chassein) was born into a military family. She was sent to be raised in a nunnery. When the girl was 16 years old, she fled with officer Armand Purpe. She soon realized that she was pregnant. The beloved agreed to marry her, but the marriage did not bring happiness to anyone. Armand often beat his young wife, and the child who was born was sent to be raised by his grandmother in Suez. Anne-Marie fled to Paris.

At first, the girl who wanted to conquer the capital had a hard time. Fortunately, she was lucky to meet the famous courtesan Valtesse de La Bigne. She agreed to teach Anna-Marie all the subtleties of her craft. Soon one of the lovers helped the girl get a job at the Foley Bergere variety show. At the same time, Anne-Marie de Chassein changed her name to the more noble Liane de Pugy.

The newly minted artist begged the brilliant Sarah Bernhardt to give her time and teach some acting lessons. The famous diva complied with the request, but in the end she said that Liana would do better if her “pretty mouth” was closed on stage. Sarah Bernhardt advised the girl to pay attention to dancing.

Gradually, Liana became one of the most desirable ladies of the half-world. It is worth noting that, in contrast to other courtesans who preferred luxurious toilets, Liane de Pugy chose naturalness. She wore a minimum of makeup, exquisite jewelry and discreet, elegant outfits. For this, the courtesan received the nickname "Pale Rose".

One of her rivals was Carolina Otero, who, on the contrary, was very fond of flashy luxury. For this she was named "Red Rose". The outcome of the invisible duel took place in 1897. Both ladies were invited to one of the restaurants in Paris. The audience froze in anticipation: who will win. Carolina Otero showed up in a sparkle of jewelry and a chic outfit. All that remained was to wait for Liana's arrival.

"Pale Rose" did not change herself and arrived at the restaurant in a plain white dress and a living rose instead of jewelry. Behind the courtesan followed her maid, dressed in an expensive dress embroidered with pearls, rubies, and diamonds. For Caroline Otero, this was a failure, since she was compared to a servant. At the end of her triumph, Liane de Pugy won the favor of Caroline's lover.

Liana excited the minds of not only men, but also women. Among her admirers were the artist Matilda de Morny, the Marquis de Belbeuf. Liane de Pugy described her short but vivid romance with the writer Natalie Barney in all colors in her autobiography "Sapphic Idyll".

Natalie Barney met Liana at the ball, posing as "a page of love sent to Sappho."Despite the fact that the most titled men in France sought de Pougy's favor, Natalie Barney charmed and seduced her.

Years passed, the courtesan understood that her beauty was not eternal, so when the Romanian prince Giorgi Giku made a marriage proposal to her in 1910, the 40-year-old woman did not hesitate for a minute. Liana really wanted to get the title of princess, and her noble but impoverished husband was desperate for money. They lived together for 16 years. In the end, the prince found himself a girl much younger and more beautiful than an aged wife.

In 1928, Liana de Puji went to a monastery. In the pious matron who helped the suffering, it was difficult to recognize the former courtesan who drove both men and women crazy. Liana lived a long life and died in 1950.

Another lady of the half-world, Cora Pearl, attracted the attention of society with her extravagant antics. One day she ordered the servants to carry her out to the guests on a silver platter, completely naked.