Featured Original Thomas N Toner Oil on Canvas

A friend of mine just acquired this piece from a rental home rented by a TV actor, it was left abandoned by the actor in the home.

It measures 60x69"

I googled Memento Mori and came back with..
"A memento mori is an artwork designed to remind the viewer of their mortality and of the shortness and fragility of human life."

I also see the painter was born in 1941 and died in 2007.

That's all I really know.
My friend is looking for any other sort of information someone can come up with?

I find it neat to look at it, I like the color scheme, but I dont think I'd love it in my house
It almost reminds me of something from The Labyrinth..

Is there a name for these sort of creatures?
Any idea on the symbolisms?
Value of the piece?

I've asked him for better up close pictures, I'll post them when I get them.

 

I wonder what that "PAFA" below the painter's name means?

edit: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts?

 

https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Thomas-N--Toner/36924F1A010D144C

Thomas N. Toner's work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from 50 USD to 700 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork. Since 2010 the record price for this artist at auction is 700 USD for Surrealist, nocturnal composition, Selkirk's label to verso, sold at Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers in 2021.

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Found this signature for one of the above's works of art. Not exactly like the signature of yours, but pretty close.

 

Good find!
I guess they would sign it like that as a student?
Or would this be a student copy and the PAFA would recognize that?

 

I'm not sure. Art, while I admire it greatly, is not my forte for sure. I am in Pennsylvania though, so a coincidence there!

I like the painting; it's so interesting. I would think with the right decor, it would definitely be wanted!

 

Looks right for his work. The painting itself is an example of Surrealism. I would describe the figures as grotesque.

Debora

 

When you ship it, roll it so the paint is on the outside, use paper or lightweight plastic between the rolling. I like it a lot, but I always tend to appreciate the odd art.

 

According to the internet, he is represented in some collections.

"Over two-thousand of Toner's works appear in public and private collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum, The Baseball Hall of Fame, U.S. Embassies in England, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, University of Rhode Island, University of Michigan, El Paso Museum, St. Louis University Winterthur Museum, Brandywine Museum, and others."

Debora

 

The Guy's good,surprised the record for his work is only $700.He's placed in some pretty prestigious locations.I also thought bizarre funky surrealism was hotter,but the whims of the art market are fickle.