This oil by Carl Ahrens measures 23 x 32 inches and was painted between 1908 and 1911, likely in Toronto or Leith, Ontario. It was originally owned by General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. At Mercer's death in 1916, it passed to his brother, Frederick. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries of Toronto. It was lot # 460 and it sold for $700 to a Mr. Farley of Toronto.
This painting definitely still exists. It was auctioned by Waddington's (Toronto) in March of 2006 and sold for about $3200. I do not know who currently owns the piece.
It appeared not only at the 1911 exhibition of the Mercer collection, but also at an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Toronto in 1922.
Clouding Over
