The Life and Art of Elsa Jemne
Elsa Jemne was an American painter, muralist, and illustrator born in Saint Paul, United States. After attending the St. Paul Institute, she pursued her art studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. During her time as a student, she engaged in commercial art, though she found the work to be monotonous. Her formal education included studying under Violet Oakley, Cecilia Beaux, Daniel Garber, Emil Carlsen, and Joseph Pearson. She was also a recipient of the Cresson Traveling Scholarship in both 1914 and 1915.
Returning to the Midwest, Jemne became an advocate for art and culture in Minnesota during the Great Depression. She traveled by bus through the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota, where she was commissioned to paint several murals depicting regional themes. Her work for the Section of Painting and Sculpture included murals for public buildings such as post offices and courthouses in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Notable Works and Commissions
Jemne's diverse body of work includes various murals and illustrations. Her notable mural commissions include:
In addition to her murals, she illustrated several books, including works by Norwegian writer Marie Hamsun such as A Norwegian Family and A Norwegian Farm. She also collaborated with her husband, architect Magnus Jemne, on projects like the Saint Paul Women's City Club, which featured murals and terrazzo floors.
