Edwin B. Knutesen

Edwin Bassett Knutesen (May 26, 1901 – January 23, 1961) was an American painter born in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Knutesen became a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) in 1923, where he studied under George Oberteuffer, Hugh Breckenridge, and Daniel Garber.

Later he worked as an illustrator for the Wisconsin News and attended evening classes at the Wisconsin State Normal School (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee).

Knutesen moved to Paris France in 1925 where he studied at the Ecole Des Beaux – Arts de Paris and had a studio next to that of American Regionalist and Social Realist lithographer, Adolf Dehn.

Knutesen returned to America in 1928 aboard the SS Leviathan and attended the Wisconsin State Teachers College in Milwaukee (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee) where he received his degree in art education (1930).

Knutesen found work as a teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana, then worked in Charleston, South Carolina for several years before returning to Milwaukee Wisconsin in the mid-1930s.

During the Great Depression Knutesen was able to find employment with the Federal Arts Project, which was funded by the WPA.

When World War II began the WPA program was canceled and Knutesen found employment creating advertisements but continued perusing his art work.

Knutesen was a member of Milwaukee Businessmen's Sketch Club and affiliated with the Wisconsin Art Teachers (WAT).

He frequently exhibited in Wisconsin State Fairs and Wisconsin Painters Shows, including the Thirty-First Annual Exhibition of Wisconsin Art in 1944.

Knutesen won several awards including first place ribbon for a painting he entered at the Wisconsin State fair in 1957.

Knutesen died January 23, 1961, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A memorial exhibit was on display at the Charles Allis Art Museum from October 1 to 29, 1961.