Peaceful Valley (Colebrook, Connecticut) c. 1944

Asa Cheffetz created this idyllic landscape of Colebrook, Connecticut, using wood engraving, a process that demands precision and patience. Born in 1896, Cheffetz lived through periods of intense industrialization and urbanization, and his work reflects a longing for the tranquility of rural life. The rolling hills and serene fields, punctuated by modest buildings, evoke a sense of peace and simplicity. This imagery is deeply intertwined with American identity, harking back to notions of agrarian virtue championed by figures like Thomas Jefferson. Yet, these images often obscure the labor and social hierarchies inherent in rural life, particularly the experiences of marginalized communities. By focusing on untouched nature, Cheffetz's work participates in a tradition of landscape art that tends to overlook the complex social dynamics of the land. There is an undeniable emotional appeal in this image, a yearning for a space untouched by the modern world. It encourages us to consider the stories we tell ourselves about the land and whose stories remain untold.