Klein had drawing lessons from the age of eight, and when he was thirteen was apprenticed to the engraver Ambrosius Gabler. He found success as an etcher very early, having his first prints published in 1811, at the age of nineteen.

He spent periods of time in Vienna and in Rome, as well as making regular Summer walking and sketching tours with his friends to find motifs for his etchings, which he would use throughout his career. There was an avid market in Germany for such prints.

He returned to work in Nuremberg 1821/22 to 1839, when he settled permanently in Munich. He etched 366 plates. In later years he also worked in watercolours and oils.

The title translates as On the Furka mountains in Switzerland. The plate is signed, dated and entitled in the lower border. On wove.