Chiayi Park (Benten Pond)

In terms of spatial arrangement, distant scenery is depicted in horizontal view angle, but foreground scenery is paint from an overlooking point of view, mixed-viewpoints that is common to Chen's work. Compositionally, the work's focal point is the towering poinciana, which occupies roughly two-thirds of the canvas. Confident and imposing, its surging boughs and lush leafage are a powerful symbol of the life force. The lively, freehand brushwork shows that Chen often sought to integrate ink-painting's linear rhythms into his oil paintings. The artist used a simple, almost abandoned brush technique to depict the calm contentment of geese and red-crowned cranes on the lake and the sightseers strolling on the bank. The brushwork is simple, sincere, and unembellished, filling the picture with romantic, fairytale-like harmony and tranquility, fully manifesting the artist's deep, abiding love for his hometown. In 1947, after devoting his life to country and art, Chen Cheng-po was executed in Chiayi, a victim in the 228 Incident, his death a devastating blow to Taiwan's art world. Nevertheless, Chen's lofty aesthetic vision still lives on, as bright and majestic as the poinciana he painted.