Alte Mainbrücke und Notbrücke 26 - 1914

Andreas Bernhard Söhngen created this watercolor painting titled "Alte Mainbrücke und Notbrücke" in Germany. It depicts a temporary bridge alongside the old Main Bridge, likely necessitated by damage or reconstruction. The presence of both structures offers a glimpse into the period's urban development and infrastructure. The old bridge, with its solid stone arches, represents established engineering, while the temporary bridge shows the need for adaptation and continued functionality. The image creates meaning through cultural references linked to practical and historical associations. It probably reflected the social structures of its time, with the need to maintain transportation infrastructure to support economic activities. Art historians use resources like city archives, engineering reports, and period newspapers to understand the social and institutional context better. Art's meaning is contingent on such context, reflecting the dynamic interplay between progress, necessity, and the fabric of everyday life.