The Mercer Collection
Major-General Malcolm Smith Mercer (1859–1916) was Carl Ahrens' patron during the most productive decade of his career. A Toronto lawyer and military officer, Mercer began collecting Ahrens' work around 1909 and assembled a remarkable group of woodland paintings.
In October of 1911, Mercer exhibited a collection of 31 paintings at the Toronto Reference Library — a rare public showing of Ahrens' work during his lifetime. The exhibition drew considerable attention; one collector reportedly offered $4,000 for the large canvas Clearing Mist, but Mercer refused to sell.
Mercer was killed in action at the Battle of Mount Sorrel in June 1916, becoming the highest-ranking Canadian officer to die in the First World War. After his death, his collection was dispersed. Several paintings passed to George G. Nasmith and Charles Burden, who became Ahrens' subsequent patrons. Others entered public and private collections across Canada and the United States.
Images of all 31 paintings from the 1911 exhibition appear below. The paintings shown in color are currently in public or private collections known to me or were taken from current auction listings. The black and white images were taken from the 1911 exhibition catalog and the location of those paintings is still unknown.
Paintings Featured at the 1911 Exhibition
To the Open
Oil on canvas
63.5 x 56 cm
Signed c. 1910
Collection of Sandu Sindile
The original owner was Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and it was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. After Mercer's death in 1916, the painting passed to his brother, Frederick. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries in Toronto. It was lot # 442 and sold for $350.
Edge of the Wood
Oil on canvas
63.5 x 48 cm
Signed c. 1910
Collection of The Art Gallery of Hamilton (Ontario) Gift of Dr. J.S. Lawson, 1960
Photo by Sandu Sindile
This painting was exhibited, along with the rest of the Mercer Collection, at the Toronto Reference Library in October of 1911.
Clearing Mist
Oil on canvas
76 x 91.5 cm
Signed c. 1910
Private Collection
Exhibited at the Toronto Reference Library, October 1911. A collector offered $4,000 for this canvas, but Mercer refused to sell.
The Evening Sun
Oil on canvas
63.5 x 81 cm
Signed c. 1910
Private Collection
Photo by Sandu Sindile
Originally owned by Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer. Appeared at the 1911 Mercer Collection exhibit, the Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works by Carl Ahrens held at Mellors Galleries, and at the 1937 Retrospective Exhibition of Paintings by Seven Waterloo County Artists at The Preston Springs.
The Valley
Oil on canvas
90 x 74 cm
Signed c. 1910
City of Toronto, Museum Services, Spadina Museum
Photo by Sandu Sindile
Exhibited at the Toronto Reference Library, October 1911.
The Inlet
Oil on canvas
58.5 x 81 cm
Signed c. 1910
Collection of rych mills
Photo by Sandu Sindile
Exhibited at the Toronto Reference Library, October 1911.
Moving Shadows
Oil on canvas
61 x 51 cm
Signed c. 1910
Collection of Sandu Sindile
Photo by Sandu Sindile
Exhibited at the Toronto Reference Library, October 1911.
The Pool
Oil on canvas
61 x 46 cm
Signed c. 1910
Kitchener/Waterloo Art Gallery Gift of the Volunteer Committee, 1985
Photo by Chris Keith
Exhibited at the Toronto Reference Library, October 1911.
Eight O'Clock
Oil on canvas
61 x 46 cm
Signed c. 1910
Private Collection
Exhibited at the Toronto Reference Library, October 1911.
The Summer Breeze
Oil on canvas
39 x 51 cm
Signed c. 1910
Collection of Suzanne Stewart Tucker
Exhibited at the Toronto Reference Library, October 1911.
The Rainbow
Oil on canvas
Signed
Collection of Malcolm Smith Mercer Hamilton
This oil may have been painted as early as 1898. A painting with this title was exhibited at the 26th Annual Exhibition for the Ontario Society of Artists. It was priced at $200. I have found no record of a painting by that name being exhibited between 1898 and 1911, in Canada or in the United States.
The Pasture Land
Oil on canvas
61 x 46 cm
Signed c. 1910
Collection of Sandu Sindile
This oil was originally owned by Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited at the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. The painting also appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works by Carl Ahrens held at Mellors Galleries in Toronto. It was priced at $350.
The Forest Way
Oil on canvas
81 x 63.5 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. The painting is now part of the collection of the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre in Guelph, Ontario.
Night Lights
Oil on canvas
58.5 x 81 cm
Signed c. 1910
This oil originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. It is now part of a private collection.
Clouding Over
Oil on canvas
58.5 x 81 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally owned by Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries of Toronto for $700 to a Mr. Farley of Toronto. It appeared at an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Toronto in 1922. Waddington's (Toronto) sold it in March of 2006 for about $3200.
Early Morning
Oil on canvas
74 x 56 cm
Signed before March of 1900
Collection of rych mills
First exhibited at the 28th Annual Exhibition of the Ontario Society of Artists and later that same year in the Art Gallery at Roycroft in East Aurora, NY. Mercer purchased it in Toronto in 1908, the earliest Mercer Collection piece. As of June 2017, it was still in the Mercer family.
A Road Through the Wood
Oil on canvas
56 x 76 cm
Signed circa 1910
Originally owned by Malcolm S. Mercer. Upon Mercer's death, the painting passed to his brother, Frederick. Sold by Jenkins Galleries in 1928 for $400. Sold by Joyner in 2001 for $2185. Sold by Meibohm Fine Arts later for $5500.
The Village
Oil on canvas
38 x 51 cm
Signed c. 1910
This oil was originally owned by Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer, passed to his brother, Frederick, in 1916 and remained in the Mercer family at least until 1935. This painting appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition and at the 1937 Retrospective Exhibition of Seven Waterloo County Artists. The painting sold at auction on January 13, 2026.
The Mill
Oil on canvas
104 x 81 cm
Signed c. 1910
This oil was originally owned by Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries and sold for $510. It appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition priced at $900. There is a possibility that this painting was sold by Pinneys (Montreal) in 1987. If the same painting, it sold for $2400.
The Morning Sun
Oil on canvas
102 x 76 cm
Signed c. 1910
This oil originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries of Toronto and sold for $750 to Mr. H.R. Douglas of Toronto. The painting appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition and was priced at $900.
The Ford
Oil on canvas
46 x 61 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally owned by Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer. In 1935 Mrs. Frederick Mercer had an exhibition and sale of paintings from her late husband's collection. This painting was listed among them. The painting appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works by Carl Ahrens, held at Mellors Galleries. It was priced at $300.
Night Time
Oil on Canvas
76 x 63.5 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally belonged to General Malcolm S. Mercer, and passed to his brother, Frederick upon Mercer's death in 1916. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Gallery and sold for $350 to Mr. Horace Hunter of Toronto.
A Frosty Morning
Oil on canvas
91.5 x 84 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally owned by Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer. In 1928 the Jenkins Galleries auctioned it off for $500. Appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works by Carl Ahrens. Also exhibited at the 1937 Retrospective Exhibition of Paintings by Seven Waterloo County Artists at the Preston Springs in Preston, Ontario.
Showery Weather
Oil on canvas
63.5 x 76 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. After Mercer's death in 1916, it passed to Mercer's brother, Frederick. In 1928 it was auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries and sold for $400 to H.R. Douglas of Toronto.
Autumn
Oil on canvas
46 x 61 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and remained in the Mercer family until 1935, when Mrs. Frederick Mercer had an exhibition and sale of paintings from her late husband's collection. The painting appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works of Carl Ahrens. It was priced at $250.
The Wooded Lane
Oil on canvas
56 x 76 cm
Signed c. 1910
This oil originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was displayed at the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. It also appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works of Carl Ahrens held at Mellors Galleries in Toronto. It was priced at $450.
The Woods
Oil on canvas
51 x 63.5 cm
Signed c. 1910
This oil originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. It also appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works by Carl Ahrens held at the Mellors Galleries. The painting was listed for sale at $200.
The Uplands
Oil on canvas
63.5 x 61 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer. In 1928 the Jenkins Galleries of Toronto auctioned the painting for $350 to a Mr. Farley of Toronto.
Woodland Slope
Oil on canvas
58.5 x 84 cm
Signed c. 1910
Originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. After Mercer's death in 1916, the painting passed to his brother, Frederick. In 1928 it was slated to be auctioned by the Jenkins Galleries of Toronto, but was withdrawn at the last minute.
The Upland Road
Oil on canvas
81 x 107 cm
Signed c. 1910
This oil originally belonged to Major-General Malcolm S. Mercer and was exhibited in the Public Reference Library (Toronto) in October of 1911. It also appeared at the 1937 Memorial Exhibition of Selected Works by Carl Ahrens held at the Mellors Galleries on Yonge Street in Toronto. The painting was priced at $750.
Other Paintings Owned By Mercer
Golden Sunlight
Oil on canvas
40.5 x 51 cm
Signed c. 1912
From the collection of Sandu Sindile
Photo by Sandu Sindile
The Ridges
Oil on canvas
41 x 51.5 cm
Signed c. 1913
Private Collection
Photo by Wendy Miller
The Woodcutters
Oil on canvas
40.5 x 30.5 cm
Signed c. 1904
Private Collection
Photo by Wendy Miller
There are two paintings with the same title. This was the latter of the two.
Possible Discoveries
Teepees (Indian Camp)
Private Collection
Mercer was known to have owned a painting called Teepees that had not been a part of the original 31 pieces at the 1911 exhibition. Ahrens painted many native scenes in his early career, likely inspired by his time among the tribes in Dakota Territory and Alberta, but this is the only known piece of the right vintage. It was sold by an antique dealer under the name Indian Camp around 2008 and is now in a private collection.
The Berry Pickers
Mercer owned several Ahrens paintings by Ahrens that were not in the 1911 exhibition. One of them was entitled The Berry Pickers. This canvas sold at auction in both 1928 and 1935. In the 1928 catalog dimensions of 32 x 25 inches are listed. By 1935, Ahrens daughter, Sigrid, was married to Stephen Jones, the photographer who captured this image. The painting clearly shows two people picking something off a bushes. Chances are good this is The Berry Pickers.
Paintings Still Missing
- Forest Fires
- Sunlight and Trees
- Trees
- Tree and Meadow
- Tree on the Hill
- Changing Season
- Monarch Oak
- Mail Coach
- After Rain