Bridge of the Ahr valley railway before the flood

by Matthias Bertram

The bridges below the Saffenburg in Mayschoß were completely destroyed by the 2021 flood in the Ahr valley.

This is one of about 12 paintings of a painting cycle that was created in memory of and to come to terms with the flood.
All the paintings in the cycle have a situation from the Ahr valley in the upper part, partly before the flood, partly after the flood.

The lower logo with a fish above waves was designed for this series in 2024 and has since adorned many of the artist's paintings and prints.

This logo has a special meaning for the artist:

The fish is said to be an ancient symbol of the persecuted
persecuted Christians in ancient Rome. The
Greek archetype "Ichtys" is an acronym in which a
in which one could recognise an early Christian
could be recognised. Two curved lines represent the outline
the outline of a fish. It was a sign
of faith, of hope.
Depicted here above tidal waves, it gives an
indication of the hope that can arise from the flood chaos of July 2021, if you
positively engage with it; can engage with it.
The symbol also has a deeper meaning for the artist, whose house and studio - located directly on the Ahr
was destroyed, also has a deeper meaning: as a child of the Ahr Valley, he too, like many
generations of his ancestors, as a tenant farmer and fisherman in the Ahr valley and knows how important it is to
and knows how important it is to live in harmony with nature and to give the river, and therefore the inhabitants
in the river in this narrow valley. After all, man is only one
part of creation.