臺南美術史

Sai Botatsu (Tsai Ma-Ta), East Gate in Summer, 1928

This work by Sai Botatsu (Tsai Ma-Ta; years of birth and death unknown) was selected into the 2nd Taiten (Taiwan Art Exhibition) in 1928. He had taught Hsueh Wan-Tung (薛萬棟; 1911-1993) painting, and was awarded the “Tainichi Prize” (臺日賞) for his work, Sisters Playing with Butterflies (姊妹弄唵蝶). This painting depicts the scenery of Tainan’s East Gate (now Great East Gate). The East Gate was one of the fourteen city gates built by the Qing government. Later, due to the urban planning in the period of Japanese rule, the East Gate was designed as and remained a green circle until today. On the left of the image in the foreground, part of a tree is delineated, separating the foreground and the background, while producing a sense of perspective and allowing the depiction of a wider view. Although we cannot tell the exact colors of the painting, it is clear that the image is divided into two parts based on the dark and light tones of the depicted objects. In the foreground, a person and an ox are resting under the shade, indicating the diligence of the agricultural society. The middle ground and the background, on the other hand, are bathed in the summer sun. The figure walking through the middle ground forms a contrast to the foreground image, whereas the theme of this painting – the East Gate, is visible in the background. The overall image overflows with the leisurely mood of midsummer and is rather amusing.

Reference:
Lee, Shu-Pei. “A Study of Landscapes of Tainan in the Catalogues of the Taiten and the Futen during the Period of Japanese Rule.” The 2022 NCAF Visual Arts Grant for Study and Research – 2nd Phase, 2023.