Carl Rungius studied art intensely in Berlin at three different academies before immigrating to the U.S. in 1894 and established a studio in NYC that year. Rungius was a visual historian and naturalist with a vast knowledge of anatomy with a distinct composition and color sense. His specialty became Western American big game subjects, favoring grizzly bears, moose and caribou, occasionally depicting cowboys as well. Rungius took his first sketching trip out to Wyoming and the Yellowstone National Park in 1895. He spent most of his time outdoors, painting directly from nature for the next 50 years, traveling from Arizona to Alaska. Rungius' work represents valuable records of the natural history of that region. The Glenbow Foundation has preserved Rungius' studio in the Rocky Mountains as a museum. Teddy Roosevelt purchased many of his outdoor paintings.

Biography courtesy of The Caldwell Gallery, www.antiquesandfineart.com/caldwell