Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky (1817-1900) was a Russian-Armenian Romantic painter known for his depictions of seascapes, making him one of the greatest masters of marine art. Born in Feodosia, Crimea, Aivazovsky was part of an Armenian family and was baptized as Hovhannes Aivazian. He received his education at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg.

Throughout his lifetime, Aivazovsky contributed over 6,000 paintings to the art world, ranging from his early landscapes of the Crimean countryside to his later seascapes. His work is characterized by its dramatic use of light and color, as well as the artist's close ties with the military and political elite of the Russian Empire. Aivazovsky's paintings often depicted naval battles and storms, capturing the essence of the sea and the emotions evoked by these events.

Some of his most famous oil paintings include "The Storm," "Wreck of the Barque," and "A Moonlit Night on the Crimean Coast". These works have become iconic and are celebrated for their artistic prowess. Aivazovsky's ability to capture the power and beauty of the sea has made him a beloved figure in the history of art.