At Tori Horse Breeding Farm, visitors now have the exciting opportunity to admire the horse figures of legendary woodcarver Voldemar Luht. His captivating creations showcase everyday Estonian rural life with an extraordinary level of detail, bringing to life scenes of horses in both work and leisure.
A Colorful Life and a Lifelong Passion for Horses
Voldemar Luht, born in 1919 in Tomsk Governorate, moved to Estonia with his family at the age of three. Even as a young boy, he was fascinated by horses, crafting his first horse figure at the age of five. However, it wasn't until the 1980s, during his retirement, that he carved his first wooden horse, starting the series "The 1000 Works of the Horse." Over the years, Luht created around 500 horse figures, with approximately 50 now part of the Estonian Agricultural Museum’s collection. Some of these figures are currently on display at Tori Horse Breeding Farm.
"The 1000 Works of the Horse" – A Tribute to Horses in Estonian Life
Luht's work tells the stories of rural Estonian life, portraying horses engaged in tasks such as removing stumps, threshing grain, or plowing furrows for potatoes. Beyond work scenes, Luht also immortalized significant life events like weddings, school journeys, and funerals, illustrating how horses were an integral part of every Estonian’s life journey. The exhibition features figures that depict both the hard work and the joyful moments, offering a multifaceted view of how horses influenced everyday life in the past.
Tori Horse Breeding Farm – The Perfect Setting for the Exhibition
This autumn, the Estonian Agricultural Museum received additional figures from Luht’s collection, inspiring organizers to share this valuable legacy with a broader audience. Exhibition curator Mari-Liis Tammiste notes that there is no better place for such an exhibition than Tori Horse Breeding Farm, where horses and their history are a central part of the experience. Luht’s figures beautifully complement the farm's atmosphere, allowing visitors to connect with the generations-old love and respect for horses.
Unmatched Mastery and Attention to Detail
Luht’s wooden carvings are renowned for their incredible detail. Each horse, human figure, and tool is expertly crafted from natural materials such as black alder, willow, and birch bark. His attention to detail and the wide range of themes highlight the many roles horses played – not only as workers but also as companions through life’s joys and challenges. For the curator, Luht’s precision and creativity are particularly striking, as seen in his meticulous depiction of tools like the potato harvesting machine.
In addition to the wooden figures, the Tori exhibition also features ten horse drawings, giving insight into Luht’s long-standing passion for horses.
Since the Estonian Agricultural Museum network also includes the C. R. Jakobson Farm Museum, one special horse figure has been placed there: a depiction of Jakobson riding a horse to the Sakala newspaper office. Visitors are encouraged to see this unique piece at Jakobson’s museum in Kurgja as well.
Exhibition Open Until October 31, 2025
If you want to experience this amazing craftsmanship, this exhibition is a must-see. Voldemar Luht’s carvings at Tori Horse Breeding Farm tell stories that are as inspiring as the bond between horses and humans, a connection that has lasted for centuries.