Emil Thoma is not a widely recognized figure in the mainstream history of art, and as such, detailed information about his life, including his birth and death years, is not readily available in the public domain. It's possible that Emil Thoma might either be a lesser-known artist whose contributions have not been widely documented or could be a figure associated with regional or specific art forms or movements that have not gained widespread attention. Additionally, the ambiguity surrounding the name could also result from variations in spelling or misidentification with other similarly named individuals who may have contributions in various fields including art. Given the lack of specific details, it's challenging to provide a comprehensive biography without further context or clarification on the individual's background, artistic contributions, or the particular era and geographical region in which they were active. It is always possible that more information could be uncovered through specialized art historical research or by consulting archives and databases dedicated to preserving the legacy of lesser-known artists.