Tân Têng-Pho (1895–1947) was a Taiwanese painter and a central figure in Taiwan’s art history. Today, 78 years ago, his life came to a tragic end when he was murdered as a result of the 228 Massacre. His artistic legacy and his death remain highly significant to this day.
嘉義街外 Outside Chiayi Street, 1926 © Chen Cheng-po Cultural Foundation
He was born in Chiayi and grew up in humble circumstances. From an early age, he discovered his passion for painting. He received his first training in watercolor painting at the Taiwan Governor-General’s School (臺灣總督府國語學校).
In 1924, he began his studies at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (東京美術學校).
Tân Têng-Pho – Death portrait, 1947 © Chen Cheng-po Cultural Foundation
In 1926, his painting Outside Chiayi Street (嘉義の町はづれ) was accepted into the prestigious “Teiten” Exhibition (帝展), making him the first Taiwanese artist to have an oil painting featured.
After graduating in 1929, he taught at several art schools in Shanghai, ROC, and participated in international exhibitions. Inspired by Vincent van Gogh, he developed his own vivid and colorful style.
After returning to Taiwan, Tân Têng-Pho became politically engaged. As a result of the 228 Massacre, he was brutally executed without trial by the Kuomintang army.
Publicly shot in front of Chiayi Station, his body was left unattended for hours before it was released for retrieval.
Since no clinic provided a stretcher, his family carried him home on a door. Amidst their grief, his wife had one last portrait photograph of him taken.
Today, he is regarded as a symbolic figure of remembrance for the violent events of 1947.
- Taiwan Cultural Memory Bank. 陳澄波
- Thinking Taiwan. 請教故宮：「陳澄波」是怎麼死的？(12.10.2014)
- Wikipedia. Japan Fine Arts Exhibition.
- Thumbnail: Self portrait, 1928 © Chen Cheng-po Cultural Foundation
