Born in Russia, Eli Jacobi's specialty was block printing. He studied in Europe and Asia before coming to the US in 1920. He also studied at the Art Student’s League. He was successful as amagzine and book illustrator be fore returning to painting in 1930. He exhibited at the Chicago Art Insitute, Museum of Modern Art and the National Arts Club. He worked as a WPA artist and was a contributing illustrator to Nation, Saturday Review and Living Age.