Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky studied at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts from 1833 to 1837, under the guidance of the painter and draftsman Maxim Nikiforovich Vorobyov and the French marine artist Philippe Tanneur.

In 1836, he received a gold medal for his painting “Seaside View”, and in 1837 — another gold medal for “Calm Sea”. He was sent on a two-year state-funded trip to the Crimea to paint views of coastal towns.

In 1843, Ivan Aivazovsky made a trip to Europe, and soon received the title of academician at both the Amsterdam and St. Petersburg Academies of Arts. He then joined the Main Naval Staff and traveled to Turkey and Asia Minor. After returning to Feodosia, he built a house with a workshop and continued to work there until the end of his life. Thanks to his efforts, an archaeology museum, school, and art gallery were established in Feodosia. In 1844, he was appointed the painter at the Main Naval Staff, specializing in battle scenes.

The 1862 painting “Moonlit Night in Crimea” appeared in the museum collection thanks to Nikolay Fyodorovich Van der Vliet. He was a political figure, a member of the Pskov local government, a patron of the arts, and an official for special missions at the Ministry of Finance. In addition, he was the chairman of the Russian Shipping and Trade Society. As a token of gratitude for his service, the staff of the Society in Odessa presented him with a painting by Ivan Aivazovsky depicting Feodosia, which Nikolay Van der Vliet later donated to the museum.

Nikolay Van der Vliet also initiated the establishment of the School of Art and Industry which was funded by his family. Nowadays, its building houses the Pskov Art Gallery. It includes some artworks from the original Museum of the School of Art and Industry, as well as works by several former students.

“Moonlit Night in the Crimea” is a large painting with a rich golden-brown color palette. It depicts a southern night in the Bay of St. Elijah. The vague outlines of two sailboats and two staffage (background) figures at the foot of the tower are visible in the distance.