Klauber, Alice Ellen, 1871-1951

Painter, curator, San Diego, Calif. Klauber was a member of the Women's Board of the Panama-Pacific Exposition, 1915-1916, in San Diego, working on art exhibitions, actively assisted by Robert Henri and Edgar L. Hewett. Later, she was a curator at the Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego (renamed San Diego Museum of Art in 1978).

From the description of Alice Klauber letters, 1907-1946. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 86122693

Biographical / Historical Notes

Alice E. Klauber was an artist and an interior designer with a significant influence on the cultural development of San Diego. Born in San Diego on May 19, 1871, Ms. Klauber was the third of twelve children born to Abraham and Theresa Epsteen Klauber. Alice moved briefly to San Francisco with her family in 1885, returning to San Diego permanently in 1892.

Later, Ms. Klauber went on to study art under William M. Chase and Robert Henri. Much of her familiarity with different art forms and styles came from her travels throughout Europe and the “Orient.” Ms. Klauber traveled to Europe four times during her lifetime: in 1907 with Robert Henri, in 1912 with William Chase, in 1922 where she remained abroad until the end of 1923, and finally in 1934 through 1935. In addition to her extensive travels through Europe, Ms. Klauber traveled to several countries in Asia in 1929 including China, Japan, Java and Cambodia. Her travels through the Orient led to her accumulation of a large collection of Oriental Art, some of which she contributed to the Oriental Art collection of the Fine Arts Gallery. This led to her recognition as an Honorary Curator of Oriental Art in 1940.

Ms. Klauber was an active and respected member of the San Diego community, especially within the art world. She was a chairperson of the Art Department of the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego in 1915-1916, as well as helping provide the interior decoration for the Exposition, Y.W.C.A., and the Wednesday Club. Ms. Klauber was very interested in architecture, drawing numerous sketches of houses and floor plans of different architectural styles. She was considered an expert in Oriental Art and was often asked to speak at various events and for many organizations in the San Diego area. While she rarely admitted to being an artist herself, Ms. Klauber’s work was exhibited frequently in Southern California, especially during the 1920s and 1930s. Her work was displayed at both the 1915-16 and the 1935-36 Expositions in San Diego.

Ms. Klauber’s artistic influence extended beyond the interior design realm when in 1928 she wrote a book of poetry entitles Poems, which was published in Chula Vista. Further, she designed book plates for several prominent San Diegans and her paintings were awarded on several occasions. Ms. Klauber died in Lemon Grove on July 5, 1951.

From the guide to the Alice E. Klauber Papers, 1890-1938, (San Diego History Center Document Collection)