Ivan Aivazovsky: Sea Chapels, Shipwrecks & the Moonlit Night

Ivan Aivazovsky [1817 – 1900] was a Russian painter and one of the greatest masters of marine art who is predominately known for his masterpieces that depict seascapes: coastlines and seas. As a child growing up in Feodosia (Crimea), Aivazovsky fell in love with the sea (the Black Sea) and this passion for water and all things marine never left him. Below is just a tiny fraction of his paintings, where I focus on the themes of “sea chapels” and shipwrecks, and Aivazovsky is also known for depicting Armenian themes and battles. Some of my other favourite Aivazovsky’s paintings include his depictions of the Bay of Naples and Constantinople.

II. Clock-wise from the upper left-hand corner: The Ninth Wave [1850], Shipwreck of Lefort [1858] and The Shipwreck [1884]

Aivazovsky created many paintings of shipwrecks and all of them are awe-inspiring: vivid, focusing on the beautiful, merciless sea. These paintings, like no other, capture the man’s struggle against the natural forces – his combat against water and storms. Aivazovsky’s The Ninth Wave is probably his most famous painting. In the sailing jargon, the “ninth wave” is considered to be the highest wave, which comes after a succession of large waves. The painting depicts a night storm during which a number of people are struggling to remain afloat on their makeshift vessel which takes the shape of a cross (standing for salvation). They look onto the sea and see the ninth wave coming their way. Although their predicament appears gloomy, the red and yellow colours (the sun) in the painting signal hope.

Shipwreck of Lefort is another curious painting. It shows the drowned crew of the Russian ship Lefort greeting Jesus Christ after their death. Lefort was a ship of the Russian Baltic Fleet, rated at eight-four guns and carrying the name of Admiral Franz Lefort, Captain of the Russian Navy. On 22 September 1857, it was on route from Reval (present day Tallinn, Estonia) to Kronstadt when it sank due to a squall (a sudden and rapid increase in wind). All on board perished (756 crew members, 53 women, and 17 children (families of the crew)). The ship’s weakening (as it carried heavy loads some time prior), as well as the incorrect handling of the cargo were said to be the contributing causes of the sinking. The painting is quite striking, with the figure of Jesus Christ welcoming the drowned to his kingdom, with the children being admitted first.

Finally, The Shipwreck shows people on a boat combatting sea waves. This painting may show people suffering great hardship, but it also brims with quiet and sober optimism. This is shown by the rosy horizon, as well as by the people quietly working together at their oars. The person at the front of the boat can also be seen waving a piece of white cloth. His actions mean that he undoubtedly spotted a ship in the distance, which may mean this crew’s salvation.

III. The Moonlit Night [c. 1850]

I thought I would finish this post with a painting that evokes certain cosiness and warmth. Ivan Aivazovsky’s night seascapes are exquisite and this one is no exception. In this painting, we view the curious play of light and shadow, and see the moon and its moonlight reflected in the sea. Some people, most likely, fishermen, have gathered near the fire to warm themselves and cook this day’s catch. They are portrayed in a certain makeshift wooden “house”, which is nothing more than than cut-down tree trunks and a leafy exterior “roof”. It is the night’s calmness which is the true “heroine” in this work of art. Aivazovsky wanted to convey the sheer beauty of a still, peaceful night on the shore and at sea, that kind of night that gives way to deep reflections and feelings of otherworldliness.