Forsberg, Elmer A., (1883-1950) Collection, c.1920-1950

  • IdentificationPUBLIC "-//The Art Institute of Chicago::Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives//TEXT(US::ICA::1996.9::ELMER A. FORSBERG (1883-1950) COLLECTION, C.1920-1950//EN)" "ica199609.xml"
  • TitleForsberg, Elmer A., (1883-1950) Collection, c.1920-1950
  • PublisherArt Institute of Chicago Archives, Research Center, The Art Institute of Chicago,
  • Language
    • English.
    • English
  • Datec.1920-1950
  • Physical Description
    • 0.1 linear feet 1 oversize portfolio
    • Bound scrapbook containing printed papers, manuscripts and black and white photographic prints.
  • RepositoryRyerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603-6110 archives@artic.edu https://www.artic.edu/archival-collections
  • AbstractA scrapbook documenting the career of artist, educator, and diplomat Elmer A. Forsberg.
  • OriginationForsberg, Elmer A., 1883-1950.
  • LocationThe collection is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago Archives’ on-site stacks.

Born in Finland in 1883, Forsberg immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1895. He entered the School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1904 and became an instructor there in 1906. Forsberg remained on the school's faculty until his death in 1950, teaching drawing, painting, composition, illustration, and mural design. Additionally, he taught classes at the Chicago School of Applied and Normal Art. He was well known for his landscapes and portraits, which he exhibited regionally and at the Art Institute.

Forsberg was decorated Chevalier of the Order of the White Rose of Finland in 1923. From 1924 to 1942, he served as Finnish Consul in Chicago. He was a member of the Cliff Dwellers and elected president in 1938. He was also a member of the Chicago Gallery Association and the Association of Chicago Painters and Sculptors. Forsberg died in 1950.

The scrapbook consists primarily of newspaper clippings, some related correspondence, and miscellaneous photographs of portrait and landscape paintings. The clippings include notices of exhibitions and criticism of Forsberg's artwork, mentions of students' murals and other projects, stories regarding Forsberg's political activities as Finnish Consul, his work for Finnish relief funds, and his judging of a beauty contest. There are Finnish and Swedish language newspaper clippings and news stories relating to Finland and Finnish-Americans. Also chronicled is the Russian invasion of Finland and subsequent fighting. The newspaper articles range in date from the early 1920s to 1950.

  • Names
    • Forsberg, Elmer A., 1883-1950.
    • Forsberg, Elmer A., 1883-1950--Archives.
    • Art Institute of Chicago. School--Faculty--Archives.
  • Subject
    • Art teachers--Illinois--Chicago--Archives.
    • Painters--Illinois--Chicago--Archives.
    • Painting, American--Illinois--Chicago--20th century--Sources.
    • Art--Study and teaching--Illinois--Chicago--History--Sources.
    • Finnish Americans--Illinois--Chicago--Archives.

This collection may be accessed by users in the Reading Room of the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries at The Art Institute of Chicago. Collections maintained on-site are available for patron use without prior arrangement or appointment. Collections maintained in off-site storage will be retrieved with advance notification; please consult the Archivist for the current retrieval schedule. For further information, consult https://www.artic.edu/archival-collections/contact-usage-and-faq.

The Art Institute of Chicago is providing access to the materials in the Archives’ collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of the Art Institute is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Art Institute of Chicago Archives. In addition to permission from the Art Institute, permission of the copyright owner (if not the Art Institute) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distribution, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. The Art Institute makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.

Elmer A. Forsberg Collection, Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives, The Art Institute of Chicago.

The scrapbook was donated to the Ryerson and Burnham Archives by Joel S. Dryer in 1996.

The collection was processed by staff of the Ryerson and Burnham Archives in 1998. This finding aid was revised and expanded by Annemarie van Roessel in 2002.