Born in Linz, Austria in 1855, Carl Kahler studied at the Munich Art Academy and in Paris. During the 1880s he was well known in Germany and Austria.

An itinerant artist, in 1886 he sailed for Australia where his works were well received and in demand. While there, he was awarded the commission for four paintings of the Melbourne Cup (racing event) and others in New Zealand.

Upon moving to San Francisco from NYC in 1891, he opened a studio where he specialized in figure painting. The local press called him "an erratic genius" who asked enormous prices for his canvases and would often destroy a painting if he was unhappy with it or if he thought it would sell for less than he felt it was worth.

His works are rare. He was a resident of NYC in 1921-26; his track is then lost.

Exhibitions:
Berlin, 1880
Dresden
Munich
Vienna
San Francisco Art Association, 1892-1902
World's Columbian Expo (Chicago), 1893
PAFA, 1921.

Carl Kahler was a well-traveled artist, who specialized in genre subjects and is perhaps best known today for three works depicting scenes of the 1885 Derby Day at the Flemington Racecourse in Australia. His vantage point was just opposite the winning post, and his painting showed the scene on the lawn with figures of many prominent Australians.

Kahler was a New York society favorite for his pet portraits. He was a member of the Society of Independent Artists.

He was born in Linz, Austria and traveled to Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Vienna, Australia and throughout the United States during his career including California where he died in the 1906 earthquake.

Source:
"Artist Carl Kahler", Artbol, //www.artbol.com/painting-artist/carl-kahler
Skinner Inc., Auctioneers and Appraisers of Antiques and Fine Art