Aaron Allan Edson was born on the 18th of December, 1846, the son of two Americans living in Stanbridge, Quebec. In 1861, at the age of 27, he took painting lessons under Robert Duncanson, a famous Montreal-born painter. In 1864 he completed his training by studying in London for two years, and then returned to become a charter member of the Society of Canadian Artists in 1867. In the early to mid 1880's (exact dates are controversial), Edson lived in Paris, working with Leon-Germain Pelouse. During this period (some say extending to 1887) he also made visits to London.

Edson is not as well known as he used to be; in the late 1800s when he did most of his work, he was famous for his unique painting of light. He had studied painting i...