William Woodward Collection of English Sporting Art

Considered one of the finest collections of British sporting art in America, the BMA’s Woodward Collection features 52 paintings of horses and racing scenes, as well as silver and gold racing trophies. The highlight is a group of 11 portraits of 19th-century winners of Britain’s Doncaster St. Leger by John Herring, Sr., and Eclipse with Mr. Wildman and his Sons (c. 1769-71) by George Stubbs. Additionally, the spectacular Woodlawn Vase, designed by Tiffany and Company in 1860, is on view in this gallery except in May each year when it is presented to the winner of the annual Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, the second jewel in thoroughbred racing's prestigious Triple Crown.

For more than 40 years, William Woodward owned one of the nation's most successful breeding and racing stables, which were located in Maryland. A portion of his collection was given to the BMA by his widow in 1953, along with the funds to build a wing to house the gift.  The Woodward Room was designed by Wrenn, Lewis, and Jencks of Baltimore and decorated by Billy Baldwin and his partner Edward Thartin Jr., known for their work on The White House for Jacqueline Kennedy.