Carl Kauba (Austrian 1865-1922), born the son of a shoemaker, chose to follow his calling into the world of art. Collectors now rank him in a class with Remington and Russell as one of the great portrayers of the American West. His subjects were typically American Indians, calvarymen, cowboys, and roughriders. His work has been fully appreciated on both sides of the Atlantic. Kauba’s fascination with the West was fed by the German stories of Western adventures. It has been suggested that Kauba traveled to the American West when he was about 25 years old, possibly returning to Austria with voluminous notes, sketches, and several models of Western sculpture. However, the majority of scholars feel that Kauba actually never traveled to the United States at all, but instead relied upon the accounts of others and first hand artifacts to execute his bronzes. Kauba expressed a great affection for Indians of the American West. He loved ornament, and this detail is seen in the reins of his horses, Indian headdresses, weapons, and costumes. Without a doubt, his work exhibits a high level of artistic achievement.