Artist Ivan Aivazovsky (Hovhannes Ayvazyan) is one of the greatest marinists of all time, a poet of the water element, which left a significant mark in the history of Russian painting. “The sea is my life,” Aivazovsky put it . Pictures with the names of the open spaces fascinate the viewer with their realism. The artist is called the inimitable genius of sea landscapes, the author of about 6,000 paintings, many of which went to charity.
The life of the inimitable marine painter
The artist was born on July 17, 1817 in the city of Feodosia in the family of an Armenian businessman, who soon went bankrupt. City beauties of gently sloping shores predetermined his whole future. The boy’s childhood passed in poverty, but at a young age, Ivan showed abilities in music and drawing. Initially, the future artist studied at the Armenian parish institution, then at the Simferopol gymnasium.
In 1833, Aivazovsky became a student at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, where after he studied in a landscape class with M.N. Vorobyov. The predetermining role for the artist was the visit to the French artist F. Tanner, who has special skills in depicting water. The artist noticed the giftedness of the young man and took him to himself, where he shared his tricks and skill.
1837 was a decisive year in creative activity. At this time, the name of the unique marine painter Aivazovsky often began to sound. The paintings entitled “Moonlit Night in Gurzuf” (1839) and “Sea Coast” (1840) were recognized by academics, for which the artist was awarded a medal.
Since 1840, he visited many countries where he worked actively, and therefore became popular. After returning, Aivazovsky was transferred to the main naval headquarters, and was also awarded the title of academician of the Academy of Arts. Later, he actively visited European countries, where he contemplated the vastness of the world and gained new experiences.
In 1847, the artist was accepted into the ranks of honorary members of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. Throughout his life, Aivazovsky opened an art school, an art gallery, held more than 120 exhibitions.
Mastery and creativity of the genius of the sea element
In the work of Aivazovsky, the majesty and emotionality of sea battles are very clearly expressed. Perhaps this is due to the phenomenal observation of the artist, because he never painted a picture from nature, but only made notes and notes. “The movements of living jets are elusive for the brush,” said Aivazovsky. The paintings with the names “Chesme Battle” and “Ninth Wave”, permeated with a cycle of action, just emphasize the artist’s peculiarity to observe and subsequently reproduce events.
Amazing job speed
The extraordinary nature of the artist can be traced not only in observation, but also in speed of execution. To perform considerable work in such a short time, only Ivan Aivazovsky could. The artist created the paintings with the names “Black Sea Landscape” and “Storm” in just 2 hours, while doing the work with a peculiar technique. The sea battles displayed on the canvas are especially impressive, the plot of which is perceived in one breath. The drama turns into an expression of the spiritual warmth of the light, which emphasizes the unusual style. Looking at the creations of the master, you literally feel this swiftness and a whirlpool of waves. The transmission of the mood of the sea ​​waves proceeds with a slight duality of silence and rage. The significant success of the master lies in the transfer of realism of what is happening, because only a genius can depict the emotional composition of the sea element in this way.
The most popular creations of the artist
During the reforms of the sixties and seventies, art flourished. This time is considered to be the heyday of artistic culture, just when Aivazovsky did. The paintings with the names “Storm at Night” (1864) and “Storm on the North Sea” (1865) are considered the most poetic. Consider two famous paintings by Aivazovsky. Photos with the names are presented below.
The Ninth Wave (1850)
The artist devoted 11 days to this painting. Initially, Nicholas I acquired work for the Hermitage. In 1897, the canvas was transferred to the State Russian Museum. The work “Clouds over the sea, calm” is also in the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.
"Clouds over the sea, calm" (1889)
Looking at the sea, the majesty of clouds and airspace, we can see how versatile the light spectrum is. The light in his works is nothing but a symbol of life, hope and eternity. We see how unique the creations of the master are. This artist is still the most famous and beloved among the audience.