Lot 107: - Chen Chengbo (Chen Chengpo) , 1895-1947 Maobitou Cape (the sound of the waves) oil on canvas

signed in Chinese and dated 1939 in the lower left framed oil on canvas

measurements note 91 by 116.5cm; 35 7/8 by 45 7/8in.

Taiwan Fine Arts Series 1, Chen Cheng Po, Artist Co. Ltd., Taiwan, 1992, p.134, 240.
Chen Cheng-Po Centennial Memorial Exhibition, Taiwan Fine Arts Museum Publishing Co., Taiwan, 1994, p.78.
"Family Art Museum-Ancestor Art Collection, Oil - Passion Chen Chengbo", Lion Head Publishing Company Ltd., Taiwan, 2000, p.105
China's Treasure Collection-100 years of Oil Painters, Goethe Art Center, Taipei, 2004, p.26.
Art Treasures Collection, Chen Cheng-Po, Tzuen Tsae International Art Co.Ltd., Taiwan, 2005, p.79.

PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE ASIAN FAMILY COLLECTION
Born in Chiayi, Taiwan in 1895, Chen Chengpo was a well-known Taiwanese painter. In 1913, Chen entered the Taipei Japanese School where he studied western art under Ishikawa Kinichino. In 1924, he went to Japan with Liao Jichun. After passing the entrance examination, Chen studied in the Tokyo Fine Arts Institute for three years. During this period, his paintings were exhibited in the Imperial Exhibition, making him the first Taiwanese painter to have a show in this exhibition. Afterwards, he had a solo exhibition held in 1928 in Xiamen. Besides participating in lots of exhibitions, Chen founded several art associations with other artists, such as the 7 Stars Art Association, Taiyang Association and Ruddy-Island Association. In1931, he was considered as one of the top 12 artists at that era. Chen Chengpo was executed because of "228 Incident" in 1947. His retrospective and memorial exhibitions were held in Taipei and his home town Chiayi. Not only did he represent Taiwanese art, he also contributed a lot in spreading local art.
Landscape paintings were the most important genres throughout Chen Chengbo's career and encapsulated the essences of his art. Having studied in Japan during in his early years, Chen was influenced by European trained Japanese artists such as Kuroda Seiki, who brought a western art education system to Japan after his return from Europe. The hardworking, young and talented Chen Chengbo was soon accepted by many important Japanese art exhibitions. In 1926, his Chiayi Street, was exhibited in the 7υth Tokyo Empire Fine Art School Exhibition. The year after, On the Summer Street was entered the 8υth Empire Exhibition. The two works exemplified the early style of Chen Chengbo with bright sunny light, with an emphasis on vivid colors and a variation of brush works. After his studies in Japan, Chen lived in Shanghai for 5 years, and took several teaching positions in art schools. It was during this period of time, that Chen not only became familiar with the artists and the art scene in Shanghai, but was also extremely fascinated by traditional ink paintings. Expressive brushworks of Bada Shanren, and linear techniques and composition from Chinese landscape paintings provided him with great inspirations. Chen's Maobitou Cape shows a nice combination of western oil painting techniques and Chinese ink painting styles. The work depicts famous scenery in south Taiwan--Maobitou Cape. The contrast of light in the rock, three-dimensional perspective and accurate capture of variation of lights are evidences of influence of western art on Chen's art, while rendition of clouds and sky, clear layout of foreground, mid-ground and background are borrowed from traditional Chinese paintings.