In the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, the huge cargo ship Dali lost steering and torn through the western support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge outside of Baltimore's harbor. In seconds, the bridge collapsed, sending six men to their deaths and forever changing the city's skyline. Some things seem so permanent; you'd never expect them to be gone.
This may be the most difficult painting I've ever created. I rarely paint cityscapes or architecture since fine details and complex perspectives are overly challenging. On top of that, the Key Bridge was a local icon with clearly defined features - I can't just create a generic bridge in its place. Finally, the bridge's main structure was an overwhelming lattice of trusses, something well outside the norm of what I paint - a maze of detail that can only be suggested and not actually drawn in fully. I hope I did it justice.
Here, we see the bridge on an evening like any other with the lights of Baltimore's harbor in the background and peaceful sunset clouds in the sky. While it was just a bridge, I will miss it. Its distinctive arch could be seen from afar and welcomed me back to Baltimore. May those who lost their lives that dark morning rest in peace.
Acrylic painting: 14" x 17"
