Oil Painting

Length:72.5 x Width:91 (cm)

Yeh Huo-Cheng (1908-1993, Fengyuan, Taichung) graduated from Taipei Second Normal School (now National Taipei University of Education), where he studied under Ishikawa Kinichiro (1871-1945). He later served as an elementary school teacher and principal, and was director of the Department of Industrial Design at Ming Chi Institute of Technology. Yeh’s works were frequently selected for the Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition during the Japanese colonial period, and he also received awards from the Taiwan Provincial Art Exhibition. A lifelong advocate for art education, he was a member of the Tai-Yang Art Society and the Chinese Artists Association, served as chair of the Republic of China Oil Painting Association, and founded both the Huludun Art Research Society and the Niumatou Painting Society. He played a major role in promoting the art movement in central Taiwan.
Yeh Huo-Cheng is known for his oil paintings, often focusing on portraits, landscapes, and still life. This particular work is a mid-career portrait, possibly depicting a well-known local gentleman of the time. The figure sits slightly turned in a wicker chair, framed by loosely scattered leaves in the background. The overall composition is balanced and minimal, evoking a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.
Yeh demonstrates his highly realistic style through the precise rendering of the sitter’s expression, posture, and clothing. Details such as the subtle reflection on the eyeglasses, the crisp folds in the shirt, and the loosely held paper fan all hint at the subject’s refined and easygoing personality. The painting features a unified color palette without strong contrasts in lighting. Instead, Yeh relies on layered brushwork and subtle blending to bring out the textures of skin and fabric, giving the piece a warm, grounded presence.

Accession number:20170300134