She was born the daughter of a Lutheran nobleman, Axel Adlersparre, governor of Öland, and Carolina von Arbin, and displayed a talent for painting in childhood.

She debuted in 1836 when Crown Princess, Josephine of Leuchtenberg, the future Queen of Sweden, ordered a painting from her and introduced her to useful contacts.

Adlersparre made several trips to study art abroad, to Germany, Italy and France.

Her paintings reflected the Romantic style of the era, though she was also much influenced by the Renaissance artist Raphael.

In 1862, she returned permanently to Sweden and was granted a pension from the Litteratörernas och Artisternas pensionsförening.