Elaine Margaret Frankel (née Anderson; 2 October 1902 – December 1997) was a New Zealand painter, potter, printmaker and art teacher.

[1] In 1927, Frankel and friends (Cora Wilding, Viola Macmillan Brown, Ngaio Marsh, Evelyn Polson (later Page), Edith Wall, William H. Montgomery and Billy S. Baverstock) founded artist's association The Group and held their first exhibition on 3 August 1927.

[1] From 1948 to 1951, Frankel worked to purchase Pleasure Garden by Frances Hodgkins for the city of Christchurch.

[1] Following Frankel's public appeal for subscriptions, the work was successfully purchased in 1949;[7] however, the city council rejected the painting on the grounds that it was too modern.

[8][9] Frankel responded:[10] It is proper that any art gallery should have the right – indeed it has the duty – to refuse gifts which are not in keeping with high artistic standards.

[10] A renewed offer in 1951 was accepted, and the painting was given to the Robert McDougall Art Gallery.

[1] Frankel joined the Canberra Art Club and assisted with its efforts to establish the Australian National Gallery; she and her husband would eventually leave a bequest to the gallery to fund the purchase of New Zealand art.