Early 20th C. Oil on Canvas Horse Painting in Gilt Frame by Thomas Toher, 1925

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Decorate an office or study with this striking oil on canvas equestrian portrait. Titled “Baffling – 4”, signed and dated … Read more Decorate an office or study with this striking oil on canvas equestrian portrait. Titled “Baffling – 4”, signed and dated 1925 by Thomas M. Toher (American, 1868–1929), the work presents the racehorse in proud profile, standing alert in a lush green paddock with rolling fences with a second horse grazing in the distance. The artist’s careful attention to conformation, musculature, and expression conveys both accuracy and character, a hallmark of Toher’s sporting portraits.
Thomas M. Toher was among the few American painters of the early 20th century to devote his career to thoroughbred portraiture. Born in Minnesota and later active in Havre de Grace, Maryland, home to the celebrated Graw racetrack, Toher became a favored artist for owners and stables who commissioned likenesses of their prize horses. His works today hold appeal not only as equestrian art but also as historic documents of American racing culture.
The painting is housed in a richly carved and giltwood frame of substantial depth, decorated with fruit, leaves, and classical motifs, with a central brass plaque reading “Baffling – 4, Bracom Manor Stable.” The heavy gilt surface retains a warm, time-softened patina, adding to its sense of authenticity and presence. Measuring 33″ x 29″ overall, the piece remains in excellent condition with minor wear consistent with age.
A striking combination of portrait, provenance, and presentation, this work would make a distinguished addition to any collection of equestrian art, Americana, or early 20th-century sporting paintings. See less