Ivan Aivazovsky is a Russian marine painter of Armenian origin. The name given at birth is Hovhannes Ayvazyan. He was born in the Crimea, in Feodosia. Here his creative abilities for music and painting were discovered. The local architect Yakov Kokh was the first to notice the boy’s ability to draw. He encouraged this hobby of a young talent, and he also advised the local authorities to assist in the development of his talent. Aivazovsky was sent to study at the Simferopol gymnasium, where, in addition to basic studies, he took lessons in drawing and painting. Later on, upon the recommendation of his teacher, he was admitted at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg at the estate’s expense.

He become a famous artist, traveled all over the world and had the opportunity to choose a place for permanent preferable residence. Aivazovsky returned to his beloved Crimea, to Feodosia. Only this city was the most dear and beloved for him. This city showed the artist’s talent to the world. It cared about his well-being, development and prosperity until his death.

The main jewel and attraction of Feodosia is the sea. It is the main hero of most of Aivazovsky’s paintings. He devoted his talent as a painter to it. Equally reliably and beautifully, the artist depicts a calm and stormy sea, in the light of the sun and in the moonlight as well as battle scenes at sea and the peaceful course of sailing gorgeous ships.

In the painting ‘Ships on the stormy sea’ the storm is still in full swing. Ships are pressed against the wave, trying to escape from the wind. The wave that washed away the people rushes on board the ship, threatening to completely cover the sailing ship and break it with the power of its force. In the depths of the picture it is dark and scary. There, the sky was drowned in black raging waves. In the foreground, right in front of the viewer, on the crest of a wave, people grasping the wreckage of the mast are fighting for life with the force of nature. The figures of the unfortunate victims seem to be highlighted. Light pours on them from a gap in the clouds. It becomes clear that the storm will soon subside, the sun will shine in the sky again, the sea will calm down, and the formidable waves will become quiet and gentle. Perhaps these unfortunates who never lose hope will be saved? In any case, the artist leaves this hope to both the heroes of the painting and the audience.