(Alte Nahebrucke - Old Nahe Bridge, Bad Kreuznach, Germany)

Amos Sewell

This charcoal drawing on illustration board depicts an upstream view of the Old Nahe Bridge, a medieval stone bridge in the German town of Bad Kreuznach. It is known for the "bridge houses" built along its span that once housed craftsmen. Originally built in 1300 by Count Simeon II to replace a wooden bridge connecting two settlements, it once featured eight arched openings. The houses are first mentioned in documents from 1495.

The original bridge, seen here, was detroyed by the German SS troops in March of 1945 as a last-ditch effort to stop American tanks from crossing the river. It didn't work, and the following day the Americans crossed at another point along the river, and the war ended one month later. The bridge has since been rebuilt.

In this scene of daily life, Amos features a pilot in a small boat filled with what appear to be barrels or cargo, navigating the Nahe river. His work provides a glimpse into early medieval German architecture and showcases Amos' mastery of illustration techniques, particularly in charcoal.

Amos Sewell (1901-1983) was an American illustrator, renowned for his contributions to major publications like The Saturday Evening Post. He specialized in capturing scenes of rural life and childhood, and his charcoal drawings were particularly acclaimed.