Description/
This work was selected for the 5th Taiwan Viceroy Art Exhibition. Chen Cheng-po painted this view of the Temple of Wenling Sea Goddess (Matsu) from the balcony at home, which was located between Lanjing St. and Guohua St. The balustrade and the diagonal branches extending left from the top right frame the bottom and top of the picture, respectively. The viewer feels as if he or she is actually leaning over the rail at home and gazing from his or her own balcony. The varying height and distance of the nearby houses orchestrate a rich tempo and layering besides indicating the field of depth. The emerald foliage form a contrast with the redbrick roof tiles reflecting the radiant sun, softening the sharp angles of the roofs and introducing the breezes of early autumn. A nearby row of potted plants and colorful clothing drying on the roof inject variation and friendliness into the composition.
Bibliography/
- Yuchun Lin, Oil‧Passion‧Chen Cheng-Po (Taipei City: Lion Art Publishing, 1998), 105.
- Yuchun Lin, "The Real Scenes and Images Utopia in Chen Cheng-Po's Journey of Life," in Journey through Jiangnan: A Pivotal Moment in Chen Cheng-Po's Artistic Quest, ed. Yuchun Lin et al. (Taipei City: Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 2012), 12.
Early Autumn (Old Home)
1942
Materials & Techniques:Oil on canvas
Dimension:91x116.5 cm
Private Collection
Location:Former Residence of Chen Cheng-po (now at No. 249, Lanjing St., West Dist., Chiayi City, Taiwan)