Emil Biorn was born in Oslo, Norway June 7, 1864. He was trained at the Royal Norwegian School of Drawing and at Lindeman’s School of Music in Oslo. He also studied in Paris, France and at the Chicago Art Institute. In 1887, Emil Biorn came to America and settled in Chicago, where he spent the rest of his life. A commercial artist by profession, he was a prominent figure in the life of the Norwegian American community in Chicago. For many years he worked for the Barnes Crosby Company, one of the largest engraving houses in America. Emil Biorn achieved national recognition both as an artist and as a musician. He was a composer whose works were performed in Norway and America. The Luther College Fine Arts Collection contains a number of paintings by Biørn. Chief among them are works depicting significant events in the history of Norway.
Courtesy of Luther College