Archives On The Air 236: Artist Of The Bighorns — Hans Kleiber Papers

By Wyoming Public Media

Published December 12, 2020 at 5:15 PM MST

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Photo of Hans Kleiber at a logging camp in the Bighorn Mountains, ca. 1908. Box 4, Hans Kleiber collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Photo of Hans Kleiber at a logging camp in the Bighorn Mountains, ca. 1908. Box 4, Hans Kleiber collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Photo taken of the first flag raising at Woodrock, Wyoming, 1908. Box 4, Hans Kleiber collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Photo taken of the first flag raising at Woodrock, Wyoming, 1908. Box 4, Hans Kleiber collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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The Sheep Herder, a hand colored drawing by Hans Kleiber. Box 3, Hans Kleiber collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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The Sheep Herder, a hand colored drawing by Hans Kleiber. Box 3, Hans Kleiber collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

German-born artist Hans Kleiber immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager in 1900. He developed what he called "an abiding love for whatever the out-of-doors had to offer."

In 1907, Kleiber became a U.S. Forest ranger in the Tongue River District. Dayton, Wyoming, became his permanent home. Inspired by his surroundings, he resigned his job after 16 years to become a full-time artist.

Over time he earned the nickname, "Artist of the Big Horns."

Etching and printmaking were his favorite mediums.

In 1944, the work of this self-taught artist was exhibited in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about Hans Kleiber and his art at UW's American Heritage Center.