Simpson, Maxwell Stewart. FOUR PORTRAITS OF ASA CHEFFETZ. Ink, graphite, colored pencils, wash, 1919 and 1920. 1. Two ink sketches about 4 x 5 inches each, matted to 7 x 7 1/2 inches. one showing Cheffetz shirtless and shoeless sitting on a bed, the other showing Cheffetz in a suit sitting on the same bed, drawing in a sketchbook. Both inscribed "Asa Cheffetz," and signed "Maxwell Stewart Simpson,1919" all in ink. 2. A drawing in colors showing Cheffetz seated, in a buttoned Jacket, holding a hat. Inscribed and dated, as above, but in pencil. 5 1/4 x 4 inches, matted to 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. 3. A drawing in colored pencil and graphite of Cheffetz in profile. Inscribed in pencil, top, "Asa CHeffetz, October 23rd, 1920, and signed and dated 1920, bottom.All of the mats have been glued so that the drawings are "sandwiched," but all appear to be in very good condition.Asa Cheffetz, 1896-1965 is known for his wood-engraving of farmhouses and landscapes of New England. His subject matter and the quality of his work place him in the top-rank of American wood-engravers.Maxwell Stewart Simpson, 1896-1984 had distinguished career as a painter and printmaker.Cheffetz and Simpson were classmates at the National Academy of Design. The two shared a studio in New York in 1919, near Union Square, where they made etchings and lithographs; Cheffetz was forced by circumstances to return to Springfield after only six months. These drawings, and Cheffetz's large etched portrait of Simpson date from that period.
