Konstanz, by the Old Rhine Bridge on Lake Constance

by Frank Schmidt

A sunny day on Lake Constance, captured in a clear, minimalist colour-block aesthetic: the historic Old Rhine Bridge spans the turquoise-blue waters of the Seerhein with elegance, linking the different parts of the city. There is a relaxed bustle on the bridge – vintage cars, a classic VW bus and cyclists share the path with walkers, whilst below, a white ferry plies its course at a leisurely pace.

In the left-hand part of the picture, the magnificent Wilhelminian-style façade of Konstanz’s famous Seestraße shines out. This striking ensemble of historic buildings is characterised by its extraordinary symmetry: a central main building is flanked on the left and right by structures arranged in an almost mirror-image fashion. This architectural backdrop also achieved cinematic fame, notably as a key scene in the film * "Eine dunkle Begierde" * (original title: *A Dangerous Method*) about Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung.

Stylistically, the work deliberately avoids harsh outlines, relying instead entirely on subtly nuanced tones, soft shadows and graphically precise surfaces – the graphic surface style characteristic of retro-modernism. The calm green and blue tones of the water, combined with the warm sand and terracotta hues of the architecture, create a harmonious, airy atmosphere. In the interior, the wide format lends every room a sense of expansive, maritime serenity – a stylish statement for lovers of Lake Constance and admirers of modern cityscapes.