Gertrude Barnes (1865-1926?)

Gertrude Barnes was born in Massachusetts on on October 23, 1865.  After her studies at the Cowles School and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1883.  Barnes married a prominant local businessman and, rather than stay home as was expected in her time, she used their combined wealth and influence to support and promote several local art institutions.  Barnes was a charter member of the Artists League of Minneapolis and exhibited her paintings in Minneapolis and Chicago.  Little is known of the later part of her life.

Information from Minnesota Impressionists, Rena Neumann Coen, 1996, Afton Historical Society Press