Elisabetta Keller
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elisabetta Keller, also known as Elisabeth Keller, (6 July 1891 – 19 February 1969)[1] was a Swiss artist born in Italy and a founder of the Italian Soroptimist Club.[2]
Elisabetta Keller | |
|---|---|
 Self Portrait | |
| Born | July 6, 1891 Monza, Italy |
| Died | February 19, 1969 (aged 77) San Francisco, California, US |
| Known for | Portraits, pastels |
| Movement | Lombardi naturalism, modernism |
| Spouse | Giovanni Battista Pitscheider |
Keller worked in many media, but preferred pastels. Though she created landscapes and still life, she was noted for her portraits, which were often of the upper-class and bourgeoisie of Milan. Among her subjects were her close friend, the poet Delio Tessa, and Pope Pius XI, a long-time family friend.[3][4]
The Soroptimist Club of Milan, the first Soroptimist club in Italy, was organized during a series of meetings held at Keller's residence in 1928. Besides Keller, the first 25 members included the composer Giulia Recli and the writer Ada Negri.[2] In 1931, Elisabeth Keller became the second president of the organization.[2]