Painted panorama of the Rotterdam skyline

by Arjen Roos

Rotterdam is a city I have been photographing and admiring for years. I lived near it myself (and even briefly ín the city) and discovered time and again how photogenic this dynamic metropolis is. When I started making digital paintings, it was obvious to me that Rotterdam in particular, with its iconic skyline, would become an important source of inspiration.

This painted panorama is based on several photos I took from the Euromast. Here you can see an impressive overview of the city: the city centre, the Kop van Zuid with recognisable buildings like De Rotterdam and the former Holland America Line, the elegant Erasmus Bridge and even the Willemsbrug in the distance. In the foreground is the park with the Westerlaan offices, Parkzicht / The Harbour Club, Chalet Suisse and if you look closely, you can even see the famous Ballentent hidden behind the trees on the quay.

The work is digitally constructed with a mix of sketch, watercolour, oil paint and photography, in extremely high resolution. As a result, every detail remains sharp, even at very large sizes. This makes the painting not only a tribute to the city, but also a real eye-catcher for anyone who wants to bring Rotterdam into their home.

For me, this work is more than just a panorama: it is a personal ode to a city that never stands still and never ceases to surprise.