This oil by Carl Ahrens measures 30 x 25 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, the painting passed to his brother, Frederick. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Gallery in Toronto. The painting was lot # 469 and sold for $350 to Mr. Horace Hunter of Toronto.
Interestingly, this painting appears to have gone back into Mercer hands. In 1935 Mrs. Frederick
Mercer had an exhibtion and sale of many paintings in her late husband's collection. This painting is listed among them. There was no price indicated or confirmation that the painting changed hands at this time.
Carl's wife, Madonna Ahrens, described the painting as "an arrangement of tall trees by a shadowy pool, all touched by the fragile glow of moonlight. " He painted this one especially for Mercer, who wanted a moonlight painting, but not one with a "dinner plate in the sky."
Night Time
