Countess Maria Coventry as the pursuit of beauty led to death

• Contessa Maria Coventry as the pursuit of beauty led to death

At all times, the woman wanted to look beautiful and fashionable, and for that she was ready to go to any experiments without thinking about the consequences. In connection with this rather curious story of Countess Maria Coventry, who lived in the XVIII century. At one time it was considered the main beauty in London and all the forces trying to keep this title. However, it is the pursuit of beauty has played with it a cruel joke with the deaths.

Maria Gunning was born in Cambridgeshire (England) in a large family. When she was 7 years old, the family moved to Ireland. After reaching adulthood mother Mary tilted her sister Elizabeth and go to work on a theatrical stage.

In Ireland, the XVIII century acting is not considered a very respectable profession, especially for girls. However, pretty actress could hope to find a way of wealthy patrons.

In October 1748 in Dublin Castle Viscountess Petersham hosted a reception. Mary and Elizabeth also received invitations, but the girls did not what to wear. Then the manager of one of the local theaters Tom Sheridan actresses lent costumes Lady Macbeth and Juliet. In their clothes the girl created a furore and quickly proved to be a welcome guest at Dublin secular receptions.

Over time, Gunning sisters were able to move to England. Elizabeth married the Duke of Hamilton, and Mary - the Count Coventry VI. Honeymoon newfound Countess of Coventry husband drove to France.

Madame de Pompadour Apply blush in front of a mirror. F. Boucher, 1758.

It is worth noting that Mary did not differ innate sense of tact. Statements that entertained the audience in England, in France, found for the ignorance and rudeness. Moreover, the very countess did not like in Paris, t. To. She did not know French. But she took over from there the abundant style fashionistas to powder your face and apply blush brightly.

Her husband is so not like a new hobby wife that he was not just trying to wash her face with a white handkerchief. Maria continued to spite him profusely use cosmetics.

On his return to England, the Countess of Coventry has caused a real stir with their appearance. When she appeared in Hyde Park, the crowd is so dense it was surrounded and almost crushed, after that it has hired a security guard.

Maria continued to shine at the ball, but the universal admiration of its beauty expensive cost Countess. Cosmetics, which she enjoyed, contained a dangerous lead to health. He provoked inflammation of the eyes, destroy tooth enamel, causes ulcers on the face and neck. The appearance of the skin deficiencies encouraged to use toxic cosmetics even more intensively. In the end, September 30, 1760 Countess Maria Coventry died from lead poisoning at the age of 27 years. The stories she was known as a fashion victim and vanity.

Boxes blush. 1750