PORTFOLIO

Elsa Morante (Rome, August 18, 1912 – Rome, November 25, 1985) was an Italian writer, essayist, poet, and translator, and one of the most important novelists of the post-World War II era. In 1957, she became the first woman to win the prestigious Premio Strega with her novel L’isola di Arturo. She is also the author of La Storia, a work included in the Norwegian Book Club’s 2002 list of the 100 best books of all time.

Elsa Morante is, without question, my favorite writer. I have read everything she wrote, and her complex, often tormented personality has driven me to delve ever deeper into her life and work. This visualization is my tribute to her literary legacy, which is too often underestimated or overshadowed by other prominent authors of the 20th century.

In designing this project, I wanted to honor her deep passion for cats, a love that I share with her. Each of Morante’s works is represented as a cat. The cats are positioned on a street corner reminiscent of Rome, evoking the late-night walks she took in search of stray cats. The color of each cat’s coat indicates the type of work (novel, collection, poetry, etc.), and for every work, I’ve included the year and place of publication, the edition, and—for collections—the number of texts they contain. Awards won by each work are also highlighted.

Additionally, to celebrate the significance of cats in Morante’s life, I’ve marked which of her works explicitly reference her beloved animals. Posthumously published works are presented in a separate list.

This visualization is not only a tribute to Elsa Morante’s literary achievements but also a heartfelt homage to her unique bond with cats and the way they inspired her remarkable oeuvre.