by Molly Kruckenberg, MHS Research Center Manager
Throughout
her long career, renowned photographer and Montana native Barbara Van Cleve has
captured the spirit of the west through her photographs. Deemed a “Treasured Montana Artist,” Van
Cleve has documented Montana and western ranch life from the mid-twentieth
century through today. Her photographs,
described by B. Byron Price as having “left a trail deep and plain over open
range,” capture distinctly Montana and western images.
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Barbara
Van Cleve’s heritage is steeped in Montana.
Her family’s ranch, the Lazy K Bar, was founded in 1880 on the slopes of
the Crazy Mountains. As a photographer,
she has held a camera since she was 11 years old. Her youthful interest in photography grew into
a lifelong commitment. Ranch work also
began early for Barbara. Barely six, she
could be found helping at the corrals or sitting astride a horse. Ever since she has documented the “true grit”
and beauty of her experiences on ranches in the West.
Following
an academic career in Chicago, Barbara moved to New Mexico to pursue her
photography. She has since returned to
her hometown of Big Timber, Montana, where she continues her photography work
today.
Van
Cleve has offered her collection of more than 10,000 negatives and prints,
comprising her life’s work, to the Montana Historical Society. As a body, the collection records the land
and sky, people and animals that have been a part of her life as well as modern
western history. Stating, “I am deeply
pleased that photography students, scholars and historians of the West will
have access to my work,” Van Cleve acknowledged her pleasure that her “work
will come home to stay in my heartland, Montana.”
Van
Cleve has generously agreed to offer her collection to the Montana Historical
Society for $250,000. In addition, she
has agreed to donate her personal collection of cameras and family materials. If you are interested in helping the Montana
Historical Society preserve and protect this significant Montana history
resource, please contact Director Bruce Whittenberg at bwhittenberg@mt.gov or 406-444-5485.