A span across a river can be a captivating focal point in a painting Written By: Steve Gardiner | ×
One of the most popular bridges in Minnesota, the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis is captured in watercolor by Lloyd P. Hinton in 1920. Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
Anyone who lives in Minnesota or Wisconsin near the Mississippi River understands the significance of bridges, so it is no surprise that many paintings from the region feature bridges as prominent components.
“A bridge is a device to overcome an obstacle such as a valley or a river,” said Brian Szott, art curator at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul, “so its purpose lends itself to a sort of symbolism.”