This oil by Carl Ahrens measures 40 x 30 inches and was painted between 1908 and 1911, likely in Toronto or Leith, Ontario. It originally belonged to 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. The painting was lot # 467 and it sold for $750 to Mr. H.R. Douglas of Toronto.
Interestingly enough, this painting appears to have gone back into Mercer hands. In 1935 Mrs. Frederick Mercer had an exhibition and sale of paintings from the collection of her late husband. This painting was listed among them. There was no price indicated and no confirmation that the painting changed hands at this time.
The painting appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Slected Works by Carl Ahrens held at Mellors Galleries in Toronto. It was priced at $900.
Carl's wife, Madonna Ahrens, described the painting in this way: "The sun finds its way through the mist and eats into the trees. No sharp outlines here; all is bathed in the gentle coolness of the morning, yet through the softness of the outlines the warmth of color discernable through the mist foreshadows a perfect summer day."
The Morning Sun
