Ship by the Shore 1861

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky created “Ship by the Shore” with oil paints. The application of the paint, dabbed and blended, gives a real sense of the roiling sea and heavy sky. Aivazovsky, who spent much of his life in the naval port of Feodosia, knew these conditions well. The canvas becomes a record of a moment in time, but also of the artist’s skill. Think about the labor required to produce the raw materials, the pigments. The surface of the canvas is a result of intensive work. Consider, too, the labor of the sailors on the ship, facing into the storm. In the 19th century, the sea was a place of both opportunity and peril. By carefully considering materials, methods, and the social context of its making, we can appreciate the deeper meaning of this dramatic seascape. Aivazovsky was more than just a painter; he was a chronicler of his time.