Leopold (Leo) Kayser was born in Dormstadt, Germany on November 15, 1868. His formal art studies began at the Grand Ducal Museum Drawing School in Darstadt under L. Hofmann-Zeitz (1887 - 1889), followed by the Painting School under H.R. Kroh. He then went on to study in Stockholm, Munich, Florence, and northern Italy. In addition to drawing and painting he pursued sculpting and printmaking, the latter of which would become his preferred medium. 

He specialized in landscapes of Alsace and Italy. He was married to artist Louise Darmstaedter. Leo Kayser died in Germany in 1933.