Toronto

Despite a strong dislike of living in cities, Ahrens returned to Toronto often throughout his life, making his homes in a variety of neighborhoods: Moss Park, The Beaches, Yorkville, Oakwood, Roncesvalles, and near the University of Toronto. From 1911-1919 his main residence was in the village of Lambton Mills, which has now been incorporated into Etobicoke.

While living in Toronto, Ahrens was active, off and on, with the Ontario Society of Artists. Prone to losing his temper and dishing out creative insults to those he felt had wronged him or those whose work he didn’t respect, Ahrens made enemies in the local art circles. This may be one reason he fled the city every chance he got.

Most of Ahrens residences are listed in historic records. A few are no longer standing, but many remain.

Historical Family Photographs From Toronto

Portrait of Carl Ahrens in Toronto during the 1890s — Carl Ahrens in Toronto during the 1890s.

Carl Ahrens in Toronto in 1911 — Carl Ahrens in Toronto, 1911.

Carl Ahrens working in his studio around 1910 — Carl Ahrens in his studio, c. 1910.

Madonna with baby Sigrid and Chloris outdoors — Madonna and Sigrid with baby Chloris. Summer 1912.

Back porch of the Lambton Mills home with two seated figures — At the back porch of the Lambton Mills home.

Interior of the Lambton Mills studio with brick walls and art supplies — Carl Ahrens' studio in Lambton Mills

Ahrens family group gathered in a garden — Madonna Ahrens seated between Carl Ahrens' mother, Isabella Hynds, and his stepfather, Richard Hynds. Baby Sigrid is in the lap of the maid, Enid. Laird Ahrens is clutching his grandfather's pant leg. Lambton Mills, summer 1911.

Chloris and Sigrid posed together as children — Chloris and Sigrid Ahrens in 1912.

Carl Ahrens standing in his garden with a gardening tool — Carl Ahrens in his garden.

Laird and Penelope playing together in a garden — Laird and Penelope at play in their Toronto yard in summer 1910. Penelope would die of croup in December of that year.

Laird, Penelope, Madonna, and Isabella on a porch — Laird, Penelope, Madonna, and Isabella.

A violinist performing beside a pianist at a piano — Carl and Madonna Ahrens in Lambton Mills. According to Madonna, her husband loved the violin but was known to 'lovingly murder' the classics.

Carl Ahrens holding baby Sigrid on a porch — Carl Ahrens with baby Sigrid.

Ahrens Residences - Then and Now

Ahrens and his daughter Chloris on the porch of the Lambton Mills house — Ahrens and his daughter, Chloris, on the porch of the Lambton Mills house in about 1914.

Other Ahrens Residences in Toronto

Brick Toronto townhouse with a steep gabled roof — The Ahrens residence in 1892. Carl Ahrens lived here with his first wife, Emily, and their sons, Carl Jr. and Robert. Pauline may have been born in this house.

Historic Toronto duplex with matching gabled roofs — The Ahrens family residence in 1895. Carl Ahrens lived here with his first wife, Emily, and their three children, Carl Jr., Robert and Pauline.

Red brick Toronto residence with a covered front porch — The Ahrens residence in 1922. Carl Ahrens lived here with his second wife, Madonna, and their children, Laird, Sigrid and Chloris.

The Artist's Inspiration in Lambton Mills

Carl Ahrens lived in Lambton Mills, on the outskirts of Toronto, from 1911-1919. Three parks, Lambton Park, Magwood Park, and Etienne Brule Park, now sit in the area along the Humber River where Ahrens often painted during that time.

Tree-lined path in Magwood Park — Trees in Magwood Park.

Autumn tree beside the Humber River — The Humber River.

Sunlit walking path beside the river in Lambton Park — A path along the Humber River. The Ahrens family lived in this area from 1911-1919.

Humber River landscape in autumn — Lambton Mills, where the Ahrens family lived from 1911-1919 is now a part of Etobicoke. The house was not far from this spot on the other side of the river.

Carl Ahrens' Final Resting Place

Carl Ahrens is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery along with his second wife, Martha "Madonna" Ahrens and their eldest daughter, Penelope, who died at age 2 in 1910.

Gravestones among mature trees at Park Lawn Cemetery

Sunlight filtering through trees at Park Lawn Cemetery

Ahrens family gravestone at Park Lawn Cemetery

Toronto and Carl Ahrens

Historical Family Photographs From Toronto

Ahrens Residences - Then and Now

Other Ahrens Residences in Toronto

The Artist's Inspiration in Lambton Mills

Carl Ahrens' Final Resting Place