Frances Cranmer Greenman

Portrait of Clara Mairs, 1923
Oil on canvas
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Butler

Greenman (1890-1981) was one of several women born in the Minnesota region around the turn of the 20th century who became professional artists. This was no easy feat, as there were few opportunities in the area for art education in those days and women faced additional barriers due to social expectations. In this piece Greenman portrays another of these artists, 12 years her senior, just prior to Mairs’ departure for Paris to continue her art studies.

Tom Arneson