臺南美術史

Chen Ken-Chin, Back Street, 1927, from the catalogue of the 1st Taiten (Taiwan Art Exhibition).

This Western-style painting by Chen Ken-Chin (years of birth and death unknown) was selected into the 1st Taiten (Taiwan Art Exhibition). Chen graduated from the Taihoku Normal School (臺北師範學校; now National Taipei University of Education) in 1916, and later began teaching at the Cha-bó͘-iâⁿ Public School (查畝營公學校; now Liuying Elementary School). He was artist Liu Chih-Hsiang’s (劉啟祥; 1910-1998) first art teacher. It was mentioned in the Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo (Taiwan Daily News) that this painting delineated the alleyway in Tainan’s Eiraku-cho (永樂町; the area of Shennong Street today). The narrow alley extends to the temple in the distance, giving the overall image a sense of space, whereas the laundry slightly dancing in the breeze and the figures walking in the distance add a rhythmic visual effect to the image, demonstrating the beauty of everyday life in the place. According to the Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo, “Back Street by Chen Ken-Chin from Xinying is delineated with genuine techniques, and is as quaint as it is elegant.” The comment refers to the straight lines and stable composition of the painting. In addition, the houses on both sides of the street are rendered in different sizes and comparatively larger than the temple in the distance through perspective, which produces distinctive layers in the image and displays a compelling elegance.

References:
Liu, Chi-Yu. “Back Street.” Missing Pieces – Taifuten Historical Archives. https://taifuten.com/oblect/後巷/#squelch-taas-toggle-shortcode-content-2 (viewed on 2023.11.11)
TBMC Database. “The Opening Ceremony is Today. Reading the Paintings in the Taiwan Art Exhibition. Native Artists from this Island Must Make More Effort.” Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo (Taiwan Daily News), 1927 (page 4).
TBMC Database. “The Hidden Stories of Taiten Selectees.” Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo (Taiwan Daily News), 1927 (page 2).