Legacy in Line: The Art of Gene Kloss – Selections from the Joy and Frank Purcell Gift to Taos is a collaborative exhibition presented by the Harwood Museum of Art and the Couse Sharp Historic Site, celebrating the extraordinary career of Gene Kloss and her contributions to American printmaking. This exhibition showcases works generously gifted by Joy and Frank Purcell, whose philanthropy has greatly enriched both institutions’ collections, providing a rare opportunity for the community to experience Kloss’s masterful interpretations of the New Mexico landscape.
Born Alice Geneva Glasier in 1903 in Oakland, California, Kloss first discovered her passion for etching while studying at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1925, during a honeymoon trip with her husband, poet and composer Phillips Kloss, she visited Taos, New Mexico, bringing with her a portable printing press. This trip sparked a lifelong fascination with the Southwestern landscape and its people, leading to an artistic career defined by her evocative depictions of the region. The couple eventually settled in Taos in 1945, where Kloss continued to refine her craft.
Known for her prints that feature high contrast, rising diagonal lines, and ethereal regions of light, Kloss’s works reflect the spirit of the Southwest with a rare combination of precision and emotion. Her prints often captured the dramatic landscapes and sacred ceremonies of Native American communities, conveying both the physical beauty and spiritual depth of New Mexico. Kloss constantly pushed the boundaries of her medium, striving for the exact effects she sought in each piece.
Kloss’s artistic achievements earned her national and international recognition during her lifetime. Her work was included in prestigious exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 1938, her prints were exhibited in Paris alongside artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Ernest Blumenschein. She was elected to the National Academy of Design, and her prints have been included in the collections of major institutions, including the Library of Congress, the Carnegie Institute, and the San Francisco Art Museum.
Legacy in Line highlights selections from the Purcell Gift, presenting Kloss’s works alongside pieces from both partnering institutions. This collaborative exhibition not only celebrates Kloss’s profound connection to the Southwest but also honors the lasting generosity of Joy and Frank Purcell, who have significantly contributed to the cultural heritage of Taos. Through this partnership, visitors are invited to experience the full scope of Gene Kloss’s artistic vision and her deep reverence for the land and people of New Mexico.
Gene Kloss, All Saints Day Mass-Taos, 1934, drypoint and aquatint, 19 x 22 3/8 in. Courtesy of the Taos Municipal Schools Historic Art Collection.
Gene Kloss, Centuries Old, 1979, etching, drypoint, and aquatint, 17 ¼ x 21 in. Anonymous Gift.
Gene Kloss, Untitled, c. 1930, watercolor, 9 3/4 x 14 3/16 in. Gift of Ila McAfee Turner.
Gene Kloss, Desert Drama, c. 1950, drypoint and aquatint, 20 x 26 1/4 in. Courtesy of the Taos Municipal Schools Historic Art.
