The Winchester Rider

Robert Scriver

Artist Bio

“The Cowboy’s National Sculptor” who also models wildlife, men of American history, and Blackfeet, born in Browning, Montana in 1914 and still living there. “The thing that is unique about typical Western art,” he observes, “is its story-telling quality. In other words, the story it tells is of more importance than design, composition, etc.”

“The important stages of my life,” he adds, “have involved music, teaching, taxidermy, and finally the warm feel of clay in my hands.” After earning his Bachelor of Music degree in 1935, Scriver taught in Browning public schools until 1940 when he returned to college for his Master’s. During World War II, he played cornet in the Air Force Band and then went back to teaching. He was also a member of orchestras including Ted Weem’s. The taxidermy career began in 1951. In 1953, he built a shop for taxidermy and for the casting of miniature animal figurines he modeled, becoming the best-known taxidermist in Montana, especially for big game.

By 1956, he was established in his new career as a sculptor, starting a series of wildlife bronzes. He cast sixteen models in 1962, had a one-person show, was a charter member of the Society of Animal Artist, and had arrived as a professional artist. He has since exhibited at the National Academy of Design and in China, has been featured in American Artist and Art West, has been commissioned to model major statues, has been included in famous Western collections, is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, and is a member of the National Sculpture Society, the Cowboy Artists of America, and the National Academy of Western Art.