EDWIN LODER | General Sir W.R. Mansfield's Arabian Charger, Held by a Groom
Oil on Canvas
51 x 61 cms / 20 x 24 inches
Signed, inscribed and dated E. Loder, Bath, 1868 (lower right)
Edwin Loder (1827–1885), known for his warm and characterful animal portraits, captures a richly adorned horse with its groom, reflecting both the artist's military service in India and his sensitivity to equine subjects. Painted with fine attention to detail, this work combines Victorian equestrian portraiture with colonial resonance, showcasing Loder’s ability to convey dignity and presence.
Edwin Loder (1827–1885) was a British artist best known for his warm and characterful paintings of animals, especially dogs and horses. Born in Bath, Somerset, he was the son of James Loder, a respected painter of sporting and rural scenes, and it was within this creative environment that Edwin’s talent naturally developed.
At nineteen, Loder joined the 62nd Regiment of Foot and spent much of his military career in India. After twenty years of service, he was discharged due to poor health and returned to England, where he became an outpatient at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. He then moved back to his hometown of Bath and set up a studio in the suburb of Widcombe, dedicating himself fully to painting.
Loder’s artwork spanned the years from around 1850 to 1885 and focused largely on farm animals and sporting subjects. Dogs were a particular favourite, and his portraits of them—whether working dogs, lapdogs, or sporting breeds—are filled with warmth, humour, and fine attention to detail. He also painted horses and rural scenes with a similar sensitivity. Some of his known works include Success, a Terrier, A Maltese Dog Reading, and Portrait of a Pointer in Landscape. On occasion, he signed his work with the pseudonym “Fritz.”
While he may not be as widely celebrated as some of his contemporaries, Edwin Loder’s paintings remain admired by collectors and animal lovers alike. His work captures not only the physical likeness of his subjects but their personalities too, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the Victorian world and its deep fondness for animals.
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