Élisabeth Chaplin (b. 1890) was a French painter who lived in Tuscany for most of her life. She was connected to many of the painters of the Les Nabis movement, and much of her work relates to the themes of symbolism, post-impressionism, and early modernism.
She spent much of her life at Villa Treppiede in Fiesole, Florence, and continued painting up until her death in 1982.
Self-portrait [painted when Chaplin was 13]Due ritrattiRest in EgyptPortrait of Ms. Ida Cappechi [Élisabeth's companion of 70 years]The Three SistersMartha and MaryIda, anni Cinquanta
I had walked since dawn and lay down to rest on a bare hillside Above the ocean. I saw through half-shut eyelids a vulture wheeling high up in heaven, And presently it passed again, but lower and nearer, its orbit narrowing, I understood then That I was under inspection. I lay death-still and heard the flight- feathers Whistle above me and make their circle and come nearer. I could see the naked red head between the great wings Bear downward staring. I said, 'My dear bird, we are wasting time here. These old bones will still work; they are not for you.' But how beautiful he looked, gliding down On those great sails; how beautiful he looked, veering away in the sea-light over the precipice. I tell you solemnly That I was sorry to have disappointed him. To be eaten by that beak and become part of him, to share those wings and those eyes-- What a sublime end of one's body, what an enskyment; what a life after death.
-- Robinson Jeffers, Carmel-by-the-Sea, published posthumously in TheBeginning and the End (1963)
Illustrated city maps include some of my favorite 1950s-style cartography.
Roma Moderna, illustrated city mapMap of TrentIllustrated map of RomeNearly-isometric buildings on a perspective projection of FlorenceNew York City illustrated blocks map