Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

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Apr 16, 2023

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(1817-1900) Russian Romantic Painter, master of marine art

Aivazovsky grew up in a poor family of the Armenian merchant. The boy named Ovannes (that was the artist`s real name; later on he would call himself Ivan, in the Russian way) loved to draw silhouettes of the ships and figures of the sailors. There was neither paper, no pencils at home, therefore Ovannes painted with charcoal on the fences and the whitewashed walls. Aivazovsky was caught in this criminal act by the architect and the mayor of Feodosia. They gave the talented boy his first albums and paints, sending him to study later on.

Storm At Sea, 1881

Along The Coast, 1875

Aivazovsky inspired the acknowledged British master of marine paintings William Turner to write a poem dedicated to his Russian colleague.

"...But even that moon is always beneath thee Oh Master most high, Oh forgive thou me If even this master was frightened for a moment Oh, noble moment, by art betrayed… And how may one not delight in thee, Oh thou young boy, but forgive thou me, If I shall bend my white head Before thy art divine Thy bliss-wrought genius…"

Ship On Stormy Seas, 1858

Wave, 1889 State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Among the Waves, 1898 Aivazovsky National Art Gallery, Feodosia

This is Aivazovsky's largest painting, measuring 111" x 167.3". It took him only 10 days to paint it, and he was 80 years old at the time

Storm at Sea on Moonlit Night,

Rough Sea At Night, 1853

At Night. Blue Wave, 1876

Surf, 1897

Niagra Falls, 1893

Sunset at Sea, 1896

The Shipwreck, 1884

Sunset at Sea, 1886

Rescue At Sea, 1872

Yalta, 1899

A sailing ship on a high sea by moonlight, year unknown

Wrath of the Seas, 1886

The Ninth Wave, 1850 State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Battle of Navarino, 1846 Marine College, St. Petersburg, Russia

Battle of Çesme at Night, 1848 Feodosia National Gallery, Feodosia, Ukraine

Aivazovsky was absolutely fearless person. During the Crimean war the artist took part in the battle on a navy ship, provided first aid to his injured friend and did sketches of marine battles at the same time. Some of his canvases were even stained with blood.

Aivazovsky held the post of Chief artist of the Naval staff. He painted the views of the port cities, participated in the naval campaigns of the Russian Empire — in short, making artistic PR of the Russian Navy. The sailors adored the artist as well. The whole fleet would begin firing cannons without any military need just to let Aivazovsky observe how the smoke was dissipating in the fog so that the artist could paint it realistically in his works-to-be.

When Aivazovsky was celebrating the 80th anniversary, the best ships of the Russian Navy arrived to Feodosiya to honor the artist.