Meyer Ryshpan

Meyer Ryshpan (1899–1985) (son of Moishe Ryshpan (1863 – 1956) and Rivka Przednowek (1869–1954)) [gw.geneanet.org Geneanet - Genealog by Debby Green|access date=August 15, 2022] 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.
==Career as a painter, etcher and watercolorist==
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.
==Career in business==
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.Gazette officielle du Québec - April 6, 1935, p. 1608, formalization of the letters patent of the joint-stock company "Advance Scarf Mfg. Co., Limited".
In 1939, as a shareholder, Meyer started a joint stock company "Oxford Lingerie Limited" with his brother Reuban Ryshpan and Lou Davis, salesman.Gazette officielle du Québec - July 15, 1939, p. 2408-2409, formalization of the letters patent of the joint-stock company "Oxford Lingerie Limited". 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.Lovell's Montreal Alphabetical Directory phone book, printed and published by John Lovell & Son, Limited; 1938-39 (p. 754), 1945 (p. 628). 1947 (p. 649), 1948, 1949 (p. 651).
===Art technique===
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.
===Style===
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".Journal La Patrie - April 6, 1946, article "Quelques peintres israélites exposent" (English: Some Israeli painters exhibit), p. 29, announcing the exhibition beginning April 7, 1946.Journal Le Canada - April 24, 1946, article "Les Arts" (English: The arts), p. 5, announcing the exhibition of a group of painters, notably Meyer Ryshpan.
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.Journal La Presse - October 19, 1955, article "21 Montreal painters exhibit at Eaton" (English: 21 Montreal painters exhibit at Eaton), p. 29, announcing the exhibition beginning October 19, 1955.
Among the notable artworks of Meyer Ryshpan, let us highlight:
! Year of creation	Title 	Description 	Type of Artwork
1940 	 	Landscape of a valley and the Laurentian mountains, in the village of Piedmont	
1943 	Bridge at Lexington (1943)	 	Engraving on paper (19.05 X 24.13 cm) - Watercolor
1958 	Street Scene - 1958 	Portraying a courtyard entrance and a street in Montreal, facing a park 	
 	Still Life With Lilacs 	 	Oil on canvas - Dimensions: 61 cms X 48.3 cms
 	Mexican Village 	 	Oil on canvas
 	Mexican playa 	 	Oil on Masonite - 24X32 inches Collection of Howard Ryshpan (Bristol, QC) in 2022
 	Untitled 	Depicting an alley in Montreal, in winter 	Oil on canvas
 	Untitled 	Depicting an entrance to an urban business store on a winter evening 	Oil canvas on Masonite – 49.26 X 60.96 cm
 	Untitled 	Depicting cottage near lake Mayer 	Oil on Masonite – 49.26 X 60.96 cm
 	Untitled 	Depicting an entrance to an urban business store on a winter evening 	Watercolor on canvas – 9.3”X13.3”
 	Untitled 	Painting depicting a farm in Laurentian landscape 	Collection of Howard Ryshpan (Bristol, QC) in 2022
 	Untitled 	Painting depicting a street in a city in Mexico 	Collection of Howard Ryshpan (Bristol, QC) in 2022
1966 	Untitled 	Engraving with torn clippings of newspaper articles 	Collection of Howard Ryshpan (Bristol, QC) in 2022
1970 	Untitled 	Painting depicting two mountains and a lake 	Collection of Howard Ryshpan (Bristol, QC) in 2022
 
Many of his artworks were sold at the Dominion Gallery in Montreal. His artistic works are occasionally found at public auctioneers in Canada.Journal La Presse, October 18, 1979, p. 3 of Cahier A - Notice of auction sale by catalog by the auctioneer "Les Industries Empire Inc.".<Journal La Presse, November 24, 1979, Notice of auction sale by catalog by the auctioneer "Les Industries Empire Inc.".Journal Le Devoir, May 23, 1980, Public auction of artworks by Meyer Ryshpan among a group of paintings by various artists, for the benefit of the Canadian Cancer Society, p. 2 du Cahier « Arts et spectacles ».Journal La Presse, September 13, 1980, p. 4 of Cahier A - Notice of auction sale by catalog by the auctioneer "Les Industries Empire Inc.".Journal La Presse, May 04, 1985, Vente aux enchères "Les Industries Empire Inc", p. 3.
==Personal life==
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.
==Death==
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.
Category:1889 births
Category:People from Poland
Category:Polish people
Category:Painters
Category:Watercolorists
Category:Etchers
Category:1985 deaths