Born 5-29-1879 in Elgin, Illinois of Norwegian descent and was taken to Norway as a child. he studied in Oslo, Munich and Paris before returning to the United States. He became an internationally known artist and designer in hand loomed tapestries. In 1913, Mr. Kleiser founded Edgewater Tapestry Looms, Inc. designing tapestries that now hang in permanent collection in museums across the country. He started a series of one man shows of paintings and tapestries in 1935 that were held from New York to Los Angeles.
The photo of the oil painting above is of the Norwegian-American Artist Lorentz Kleiser (1879-1963) currently an oil painting is still in possession by a family member, Oyvind Michelsen 2008, painted by his fellow student Gustav Stamnes at the Norwegian Art Academy about 1896.
Mr. Kleiser lectured at New York University and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and in 1925 served on the Hoover Fine Arts Commission to France. He was a former President of the Arts-in-Trades Club in New York, a former vice-president of the Architectural League and an honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects and of Decorators.
Lorentz Kleiser's forefathers came from the Black Forest in Germany. His great grandfather, Augustine Kleiser was born in Schollach, Germany. He used to travel from Germany to Oslo selling clocks. Augustine's son Heinrich Kleiser later moved to Norway and started his own clock and watch wholesale business in 1836.
Lorentz Kleiser was a resident of Palos Verdes, California from 1936 - 41. He returned to New York City where he remained until his death in May, 1963. He is survived by his widow, Constance and his daughter Mrs. Miroslav Kafka.
Mr. Kleiser lectured at New York University and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and in 1925 served on the Hoover Fine Arts Commission to France. He was a former President of the Arts-in-Trades Club in New York, a former vice-president of the Architectural League and an honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects and of Decorators.
Lorentz Kleiser's forefathers came from the Black Forest in Germany. His great grandfather, Augustine Kleiser was born in Schollach, Germany. He used to travel from Germany to Oslo selling clocks. Augustine's son Heinrich Kleiser later moved to Norway and started his own clock and watch wholesale business in 1836.
Lorentz Kleiser was a resident of Palos Verdes, California from 1936 - 41. He returned to New York City where he remained until his death in May, 1963. He is survived by his widow, Constance and his daughter Mrs. Miroslav Kafka.
