05.21.21 Gene Kloss

Gene Kloss
An American Print Maker

By Rebekah Powers | May 2021

Alice Geneva Glasier became known as Gene Kloss, one of America’s finest printmakers. Born in Oakland, California in 1903, she died a loved and respected artist in Taos, New Mexico in 1996. Her career spanned nearly 70 years and she catalogued 627 etchings between 1924-1985.

The immense body of her print work is astounding in itself; more so considering that her insistence on complete control of her creations led her to pull each print of every edition herself.

While Kloss was an accomplished watercolorist and oil painter, something about the process of printmaking allowed her to express the drama she saw in her subjects. As a means to illustrate pure white to dark values, etching and its forms became her medium of choice. She constantly challenged herself to improve her technique, as evidenced by her unique aquatint process.

Gene Kloss’s desire to record what she considered important and beautiful was sustained by her devotion to her partner in life, poet and musician Phillip Kloss, by her love of nature, poetry and music, by her pioneering spirit and by her admiration and affection for the people and places she depicted. The Southwest became her province from the moment she visited Taos on her honeymoon in 1921 when she declared, “I was New Mexican from then on”, even though it wasn’t until 1960 that she and Phillip moved to Taos permanently.

History though, is grateful for the masterful and meticulous Gene Kloss who documented the essence of the moment that compelled her, whether it was a dance at Taos Pueblo, an Anasazi ruin or a day in a village near her home in Taos, New Mexico.

What is the most amazing aspect of her work is not only her singular experimentation with aquatint printing, but also the fact that she drew these images from the pueblos completely from memory. Because of the astute observation of Gene Kloss, our understanding of pueblo life is greatly enhanced, especially Taos Pueblo, known at one of the most secretive. Perhaps she was given access because of her deep respect and her ability to let the beauty of the moment shine through each and every lithograph that she pulled from the press.

The world won’t forget Gene Kloss. And because of her tireless efforts and prolific body of work, the culture and history of Taos Pueblo and this little town will also be remembered. When asked about her proficiency and productivity, the artist simply said, “I just have so much to do”.

Explore the many facets of one of the Southwest’s most enduring artists at Chimayo Trading Del Norte, in our gallery in historic Ranchos de Taos or in our online gallery.

If you have had a memorable experience with us in the past,
please leave a review.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

We buy individual pieces or whole collections.

Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.

Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

• Instagram
• Facebook

Copyright © 2023 Chimayo Trading Del Norte | Ranchos Del Taos, 87557 | All rights reserved.