Curators and dealers often refer to Ahrens as 'that dark tree painter' but this reputation is not entirely accurate. Oil paintings often develop a layer of grime over the years, particularly if hung over fireplaces. Couple this with Carl's homemade varnish that yellows as it ages, and even the most vibrant oils can appear significantly muted. Remove that grime and old varnish, and the original painting is revealed. Here are examples of paintings that have been treated.
All conservation work was done by Helen Houp Fine Art Conservation.
