Ivan Aivazovsky

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Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky (Russian: Иван Константинович Айвазовский, Armenian: Հովհաննես Այվազովսկի - Hovhannes Aivazovsky July 29, 1817 - May 5, 1900) was a Russian painter of Armenian descent, most famous for his seascapes, which constitute more than half of his paintings.

Image:Aivasovsky Ivan Constantinovich the 9th wave IBI.JPG

Aivazovsky was born in the town of Feodosiya, Crimea, to a poor Armenian family. His parents family name was Aivazian. Some of artist's paintings bear a signature, in Armenian letters, "Hovhannes Aivazian" (Հովհաննես Այվազյան). His talent as an artist earned him sponsorship and entry to the Simferopol gymnasium and later the St.Petersburg Academy of Arts, which he graduated with the gold medal

Earning awards for his early landscapes and seascapes, he went on to paint a series of portraits of Crimean coastal towns before travelling throughout Europe. In later life, his paintings of naval scenes earned him a longstanding commission from the Russian Navy. He also painted some artworks for the Ottoman Sultan which are currently in Turkish museums.

Due to his long life in art, Aivazovsky became the most prolific Russian painter of his day. He left over 6000 works at his death in 1900. With funds earned during his successful career as an artist he opened an art school and gallery in his home town of Feodosiya.

Aivazovsky's works have been auctioned for as much as 3,200,000 $, and his international reputation continues to grow. He is also said to be the most forged of all Russian painters.