This oil by Carl Ahrens measures 25 x 32 inches, and was painted between 1908 and 1911, likely in Toronto or Leith, Ontario. It was originally owned by General Malcom S. Mercer and was exhibited at the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. At Mercer's death, the painting passed to his brother, Frederick. In 1928, the painting was auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries of Toronto. It was Lot # 425 and sold for $425.
Interestingly enough, this painting was listed as being the property of Mrs. Frederick Mercer in 1935, so it must have returned to Mercer hands. In March of that year she held and exhibition and sale of many of Carl's paintings, and this title was included. No price was listed, and there is no indication as to whether a sale actually took place at that time.
This painting appeared at the Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works by Carl Ahrens held at Mellors Galleries. The dimensions listed in the catalog from the exhibit ( 24 x 30) differ slightly from those given at the auction in 1928. The painting was priced at $500.
The painting was also listed in the catalog for the 1937 Retrospective Exhibition of Paintings by Seven Waterloo County Artists at the The Preston Springs in Preston, Ontario. It was listed as being owned by the Mellors Fine Arts and available for purchase for $500.
In May of 2002 the painting was auctioned off by Joyner under the title of Cottage in the Forest. I have confirmed that the image matches a photograph of The Evening Sun in a book of reproductions of the Mercer Collection published in 1911.
The Evening Sun
