1. Misia Sert was a patron and friend of numerous artists, for whom she regularly posed, appearing on magazine covers and posters.
17 Facts About Misia Sert
1. 2.
Misia Sert's salons were frequented by contemporary writers and musicians played their newest works.
3.
Misia Sert consulted closely with her on elements of this innovative dance company, ranging from costume design to choreography.
4.
Maria Zofia Olga Zenajda Godebska, known as Misia Sert, was born on 30 March 1872 in Tsarskoye Selo, a town known as the Tsar's village, 13 miles outside Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire.
5.
Misia Sert's father, Cyprian Godebski, was a renowned Polish sculptor and professor at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg and had ties to the aristocracy.
6.
The young Misia Sert Godebska received her early musical education there and was acknowledged as gifted.
7.
Misia Sert gave her first public concert in 1892, at the age of 20.
8.
At age 21, Misia Sert married her twenty-year-old cousin Thadee Natanson, a Polish emigre and member of a banking family.
9.
Misia Sert became involved in political causes, championing the ideals of socialism, which he shared with his friend Leon Blum.
10.
Misia Sert Natanson became the muse and symbol of La Revue blanche, appearing in advertising posters created by Toulouse-Lautrec, Edouard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard.
11.
Misia Sert said he would supply money, but only on the condition that Natanson relinquish his wife to him.
12.
On 24 February 1905, Misia Sert Natanson married Alfred Edwards.
13.
In 1920, after some time with Catalan painter Jose-Maria Sert, Misia Edwards married him.
14.
Misia Sert's husband became involved with Princess Isabelle Roussadana Mdivani, known as "Roussy", who belonged to the aristocratic Russian Mdivani family.
15.
Misia Sert had an enduring association with couturiere Coco Chanel, whom she had met in 1917 at the home of actress Cecile Sorel.
16.
Misia Sert later provided Chanel with emotional support, after the designer's lover, Arthur Capel, died on 22 December 1919 in an automobile accident.
17.
Misia Sert had a long friendship and business association with Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev and was involved in all creative aspects of the Ballets Russes - from friendships with its dancers, to contributing to decisions on costume designs and choreography.