Joan Mondale, who became known as “Joan of Art” for her promotion of the fine arts during the political career of her husband, the former U.S. senator, vice president and presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale, died Feb. 3 at 83.

Her family announced the death but did not disclose the cause or where she died.

Mrs. Mondale, a self-described “traditional political wife,” was widely recognized as one of the most prominent political spouses of her era. She logged tens of thousands of miles campaigning for her husband, whom she (like many others) called Fritz.

A Minnesota Democrat, he served as his state’s attorney general before being appointed in 1964 to the Senate, where he remained until being elected vice president in 1976 on Jimmy Carter’s winning ticket....