Meyer Ryshpan: Difference between revisions

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Meyer Ryshpan (1899–1985) (son of Moishe Ryshpan (1863 – 1956) and Rivka Przednowek (1869–1954)) ^[1] was a Canadian painter, watercolorist and etcher of the XXth Century.

Meyer was born in Poland in the town of Przedborg from Polish-Jewish parents. Meyer was the middle child in a family of three children; he has five half-sister and half-brothers from his father's 1st marriage with Esther Meshenberg. Meyer arrived in New York City in 1906 at the age of 7; then, the family moved into Connecticut when he was 18 with his parent, brothers and sisters. His parents settled on a farm in Connecticut, before moving to New York City. Meyer's parent moved from New York City to Montreal in 1934. Meyer married in 1922 to Daisy Shlefstein (1903-1991); the couple had two daughters: Joan and Deidre Ryshpan. Meyer and Daisy's family lived in house in Outremont. Daisy managed a B&B in Montreal.

Among others, the Montreal artists John Little and Goodridge Roberts were involved in arts activities with Meyer Ryshpan.

His talent as a designer predestined him to invest himself as an artist-painter in the arts of oil painting, watercolors and engraving. Meyer began drawing and painting in his youth while living on a farm in Connecticut. Then he studied at an art school in New York City. He was part of the school of Canadian oil painters. He produced several hundred art works. Having been active in Quebec, particularly in the 1930s to 1960s, Meyer Ryshpan transposed in oil paint on canvas or on masonite, or in watercolor, many landscapes of the Quebec Laurentians (especially the landscapes of Piedmont), Montreal streets and Charlevoix County.

In 1935, Meyer Ryshpan went into business as a shareholder of "Advance Scarf Mfg. Co., Limited" in Montreal with his brother Reuben Ryshpan and Solomon Rof. This joint-stock company was specialized in the manufacture, import and trade of textiles.^[2]

In 1939, as a shareholder, Meyer started a joint stock company "Oxford Lingerie Limited" with his brother Reuban Ryshpan and Lou Davis, salesman.^[3] Meyer Ryshpan then declared himself a designer. The mission of this joint-stock company was the manufacture and trade of lingerie, in particular clothing and accessories for ladies and children. Meyer Ryshpan has long been associated in textile business with his brother.

According the Directory phone book, at least from 1938 to 1949, the Mfg Co Ltd (referring to Meyer Ryshpan) had telephone service and was in operation on the 4th floor of 395 Dowd street, Montreal.^[4]

Meyer Ryshpan had a touch of surrealism in his artistic works. He has also produced some works in the abstract style. His paintings of flower bouquets are of a particular style which is popular with the public.

In 1946, Meyer Ryshpan exhibited several works as an artist-painter at the Y.W.H.A., 3561 St. Urbain street, Montreal, organized by "The Young Women's Hebrew Association", in the premises of this association. One of his exhibited canvases was a landscape of Piedmont which is titled "Coucher de soleil".^[5][6]

In October 1955, Ryshpan exhibited several of his artists' works at the Eaton's store (down-town) on Ste-Catherine street, in Montreal with 20 other artists.^[7]

Among the notable artworks of Meyer Ryshpan, let us highlight:

Many of his artworks were sold at the Dominion Gallery in Montreal. His artistic works are occasionally found at public auctioneers in Canada.^[8]<^{[9][10][11][12]}

His wife Daisy Shlefstein was also a painter. After a successful business in the textile industry, which supplied clothing to the Canadian military, the Ryshpan-Shlefstein couple bought a house in Outremont. Meyer and Daisy had set up an artist's studio in a bedroom in their house.

Meyer Ryshpan past away on January 6, 1985, at the age of 95. His body rest in the Jewish cemetery of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, as do his parents and several brothers and sisters.

• Howard Ryshpan mentioning Meyer Ryshpan as co-owner of the company "Advance Scarf Mfg.Co. Limited" in Montreal (a family business in textile).

• National Gallery of Canada – Library and Archives / Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography – Record 143349 – Meyer Ryshpan.
• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts – Library.

• Meyer Ryshpan on Twitch