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Message:: [QUOTE="Lithographer, post: 4297483, member: 13308"]I purchased this watercolor yesterday at an estate sale for one of our local antique dealers. They had very reasonable prices, unusual as of late. From what I have been able to determine using Google translate: The painting was done by Franz Schweighofer, who appears to have been an artist, engineer and some sort of royal patrolman or road master. The designation K.K. is Kaiserlich-koniglich or Imperial Royal, given out by the Hapsburgs (1804-67). I believe it was painted (in nature) or on sight. It is a painting of the St. Colombano bridge on the new commercial road above Vallarsa. The painting was reframed sometime in the 1960's or 70's at one of the local frame shops in Kalamazoo.There is some writing penciled on top of the mat in the lower left corner. I would like some help with finding the history of the bridge and possibly a photograph. I am curious about the little building to right of the bridge. I would also like to see a good signature example for the artist. I was only able to find a couple fuzzy photos of drawings by the artist that had signature examples. I would also like to find a little more about exactly what a Strassenmeister was or what their duties were.[ATTACH=full]347234[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]347233[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]347235[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]347236[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]347237[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]347238[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]