Adelaide Leuhusen can be seen as something of a pioneer for female artists in 19th-century Sweden. Together with her sister Bertha, who was four years older, she was one of the first women to be admitted to the Art Academy as private students in 1849.

While Adelaide came to devote herself to painting, her older sister became a successful photographer. At the same time as studying art, Adelaide also trained in the art of singing.

In 1852 she traveled to Germany, where she devoted herself to further art and music studies. In addition, she performed at several concerts in Berlin and Frankfurt am Main.

Adelaide later came to continue her art studies with Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Younger in Munich and in 1874 with James ...