Jelena Karlowna Wrangel, also known as Elena Wrangel, was a Russian artist born in the late 19th century. Her life spanned a period of significant social and political change in Russia, including the fall of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union. Born into the prominent Wrangel family in 1868, she was connected to various notable figures, including Baron Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel, a Russian officer in the White Army during the Russian Civil War.
Elena Wrangel was primarily known for her work as a graphic artist. She was highly skilled in drawing and illustration, often employing these techniques in her artistic practice. Wrangel's style was reflective of the broader trends in Russian art during the turn of the 20th century, which was a time when Russian artists were exploring their national identity and cultural heritage through their work. Despite the fact that her family name is well-known, there is limited information readily available about her personal life and artistic career, which is not uncommon for women artists of her era. This lack of extensive documentation can be attributed to the historical undervaluation of women's contributions to art and the overshadowing presence of more dominant male artists of the period.
Elena Wrangel's death occurred in 1942, at a time when World War II was raging and the Soviet Union was undergoing severe turmoil and transformation. Her artistic legacy, like that of many of her contemporaries, was somewhat overshadowed by the dramatic events of the 20th century and the subsequent shifts in artistic preferences and ideologies. However, her contributions remain a part of the rich tapestry of Russian art history. As with many female artists from this era, there has been a growing interest in re-evaluating and recognizing their work in the broader context of art history.