Description/
A broad street at the center of the picture divides the composition into left and right halves. Austere bungalows line the right side, while the ancient temple, the subject of the painting, dominates the left to form a strong and left-heavy contrast. A bright blue sky sets off the temple's brick-red roof tiles, flying eaves and ridge ornaments, which include zoomorphic figurines and a pair of green dragons and a pagoda in Cochin pottery. The field of depth and perspective are conveyed as buildings diminish in size into the distance and the street extending forward until finally vanishing behind them. At the same time, the viewer's attention is guided toward the verdant and vigorous mountain. A sliver of shade appears under the tree canopy in the foreground, backed by a sweep of bright ground that imparts the sweltering climate of the southern countries—the blistering heat is almost palpable on the pedestrian's feet. Chen Cheng-po exaggerates the scale of the human figure against the buildings, amplifying the struggle of the pedestrian walking under the intense sun under a parasol. This painting is unusual in that it ranks among the largest works done by Chen at roughly size 60. One possible reason for its large size is because he painted it on invitation from the first Taiwan Viceroy Art Exhibition, where he enjoyed an honorary review-exemption status.
Bibliography/
- Soka Arts and Cultural Center Committee ed., Under the Searing Sun: A Solo Exhibition by Chen Cheng-Po (Taipei City: Chin-Shuan Cultural & Educational Foundation, 2012), 99.
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