[4] During his long career, he won many of the most important honors in American art and was elected to membership in the National Academy of Design.

[7] Interested in art, he first worked as an architect's assistant and studied with the Danish marine artist Lauritz Holst.

[8] He made rapid progress and was appointed the first teacher of drawing and painting at the Chicago Academy of Design,[9] Carlsen sought more training and embarked for Paris in 1875, where he came under the influence of the French still life painter Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin.

[10] When he returned to the United States, he set up a studio in New York and began to paint tonalist still lifes that were somewhat reminiscent of those of Chardin.

He became friends with Arthur Mathews, who taught at the School of Design and was the leading figure in the Bay Area Arts and Crafts Movement.

During those years he influenced a number of young students, among them were M. Evelyn McCormick and Guy Rose, who both became leading Giverny Impressionists.

[15] In 1891, just prior to his departure, Carlsen created a firestorm by openly declaring in one of San Francisco’s leading newspapers that art education was wasted on women who were inferior pupils without self-confidence and who were expected to become school teachers and marry.

Gradually, through his relationship with other New York-based painters and teachers such as John Twachtman and Julian Alden Weir, he became interested in painting landscapes and marines.

After Carlsen joined the gallery, which represented many of the American Impressionist artists, his sales improved and for the first time he was able to live comfortably without constant financial stress.

Emil Carlsen was a sought after teacher and financial necessity drove him to teach more than he wanted, taking time away from his painting.

[22] Emil Carlsen married Luela Mary Ruby in 1896 and the couple moved into his 59th Street studio, where they made their home for the remainder of their lives.

After Dines Carlsen died in 1966, Grand Central Galleries held a dual retrospective exhibition to honor both artists.

[24]The art historian Richard Boyle also noted Carlsen's craftsmanship, in his book American Impressionism, states: Carlesen's special concern was still life, and his paintings are beautifully crafted and delicate of surface, reminiscent of Whistler and especially Dewing.