Description/
The broad canal begins at the bottom of the picture, stretches to the center, flows leftward and disappears into the horizon in the background. An assortment of ships navigates the canal, and white geese casually swim in the foreground. There are stone steps for boarding a ship on the left shore and someone fishing under the tree canopy. Next to the shipyard underneath a willow along the right shore, a row of bungalows extends into the distance. In the background, chimneys pluming black smoke imply the factories are running. Using the multi-point perspective in Chinese painting composition, Chen Cheng-po leads the viewer to slowly take in the shore-side sceneries. Every object is presented at an angle that best show its characteristics—the spacious water in a downward view and the geese, trees and buildings at eye level. Forms are scaled up or down and simplified to give them a decorative quality and animate the picture.
Bibliography/
- Yuchun Lin et al ., ed., Journey through Jiangnan: A Pivotal Moment in Chen Cheng-Po's Artistic Quest (Taipei City: Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 2012), 71.
Canal
Date Unknown
Materials & Techniques：Oil on canvas
Dimension：45.8x53.4 cm
Private Collection
Location:Jiangnan Canal (exect location remains to be verified. the marker is at the start of the Grand Canal, near Gongchen Bridge)
