Aivazovsky Nastya Matveeva

1. Ivan Aivazovsky: master of marine landscapes

2. Early life and education

Aivazovsky was born on July 29,
1817, in Feodosia, Crimea, in a poor
Armenian family. He showed an
exceptional artistic talent from
childhood, drawing on the walls of
houses. The artist studied at the
Simpferopol Gymnasium and then
at the Imperial Academy of Arts in
Saint Petersburg, Ivan Aivazovsky
graduated with a gold medal, which
granted him a scholarship to travel
and work in Europe.

3.

Sunrise in Feodosia
(1855)

4.

The pier in Feodosia (1840)

5.

View of Feodosiya (1845)

6. Unique art and technique

was his
lifelong
The sea wasThe
hissea
lifelong
passion
andpassion
main and
main Aivazovsky
subject, besides
Aivazovsky
subject, besides
painted
from memory
painted
from memory
in his
studio.
He
in his studio.
He believed
nature was
just
a
believed nature was just a teacher.
teacher.
He masterfully
depicted sun
rays, moonlight,
He masterfully
depicted
sun rays, mist
moonlight, of
mist
and the transparency
and the transparency
water.
Aivazovsky of
is water.
famous for his dramatic seascapes,
storms, naval
battles, and
serenefor
moonlight
Aivazovsky
is famous
his dramatic
nights.
seascapes, storms, naval battles, and
serene moonlight nights.

7.

Moonlit night in Crimea

8.

Entrance to
Sevastopol Bay

9.

Farewell

10. Signature masterpieces

"The Ninth Wave" (1850)
It is his most famous
work. The title refers to
sailors' belief that the
ninth wave is the most
powerful. This painting is
a powerful symbol of the
struggle between man
and nature, where hope
(the sunrise) triumphs
over catastrophe.

11. "A picture of boundless expanse"

"A picture of
boundless
expanse"
"The Black Sea" (1881), truly
an amazing specimen. No
ships, no drama, just the
pure, infinite power and
movement of the sea.

12.

The Black Sea

13. "The Rainbow" (1873)

"The Rainbow"
(1873)

14.

The Rainbow

15. Prolific Career & Legacy

Prolific Career & Legacy
He was incredibly prolific, creating around
6,000 paintings in his lifetime. Aivazovsky
also held 55 personal exhibitions in Russia
and Europe and served as the official
painter of the Russian Navy, documenting
its history and victories. He was a major
philanthropist in his hometown, Feodosia.

16. Aivazovsky & Feodosia: Love for his Hometown

Aivazovsky & Feodosia: Love for his Hometown
He used his wealth and influence to develop Feodosia in ways such as:
1. He built the city's first water pipeline to solve the freshwater crisis.
2. Founded the Feodosia Art Gallery (1880) – one of Russia's oldest
museums.
3. Established an archaeological museum, a library, and sponsored music
schools.
4. Became the first Honorary Citizen of Feodosia.

17. Final Years & Global Recognition

Final Years &
Global Recognition
Aivazovsky continued painting until
the last day of his life, then, died in
Feodosia in 1900, leaving an
immortal legacy.
His works are still held in major
museums worldwide: Tretyakov
Gallery (Moscow), Russian Museum
(St. Petersburg), The Metropolitan
Museum (New York), etc.
He is celebrated as the greatest
marine painter in Russian art
history.

18.

"The sea is my life."
— Ivan Aivazovsky
Thank you for your attention!