Moonlit view of the Bosphorus 1884

"Moonlit View of the Bosphorus" (1884) by Ivan Aivazovsky depicts a tranquil scene of Istanbul's iconic waterway under a luminous full moon. Known for his mastery of maritime landscapes, Aivazovsky captures the ethereal glow of the moon reflecting on the rippling water and illuminating the distant cityscape, with minarets silhouetted against the night sky. The calm sea is punctuated by the silhouettes of ships, creating a sense of peaceful coexistence between nature and human activity. This romantic seascape is a testament to Aivazovsky's enduring legacy as a leading Romantic painter of the 19th century.