Born in Germany, Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven became a central figure of the avant-garde movement after relocating to Greenwich Village, New York, in 1913. Her work and public persona challenged contemporary social norms, earning her a reputation as a living embodiment of the Dada movement.

She is recognized for her innovative use of found objects and her provocative approach to self-presentation, which blurred the lines between art and daily life. Her practice encompassed sculpture, poetry, and performance, often utilizing discarded materials to critique industrial society.

Her legacy continues to be examined in contemporary institutional surveys, including her inclusion in the 2026 exhibition New Humans: Memories of the Future at the New Museum, which explores the evolution of human identity through the lens of 20th and 21st-century art.