Aivazovsky is the master of the sea elements. An essay based on Aivazovsky’s painting “The Ninth Wave b. Aivazovsky I.K. - founder of Marinism

1. Read your essay carefully and write down the main ideas of each paragraph or subsection. Skim through them and leave only those that you consider most relevant to your work. Offering the reader all the conclusions for each small fragment of text, you will only bore him with this and make the work drawn out.
2. Think about how to write down your conclusions so as not to repeat what was said in the introduction and the main body of the work. Perhaps you will rephrase them or present them from a slightly different perspective. If you find it difficult to formulate the first thought, start with any template phrase that will concentrate the reader’s attention on the ending of your work. For example, these could be phrases: “Summing up...”, “Thus...”.
3. Write down the most significant conclusions, re-read them and try to make them more vivid. Are there any doubts in your formulations about your competence, uncertainty, expressed by the phrases: “I don’t fully understand...”, “I doubt...”, “I’m not a big expert in this matter...”? It is better to remove such phrases, since the author of the essay must demonstrate that he has thoroughly understood the named problem.
4. If the essay contains a thesis statement, mention it in the conclusion, but try to present it in some new form. The same applies to the question posed in the work, which requires an answer.
5. Work hard on the last sentences, because they should sound very expressive and impressive. Perhaps you will touch some feelings of your readers, call them to a specific action, make them smile with an ironic phrase, or surprise them with an apt statement. But be extremely careful not to spoil your work with the final phrase. The elegant expression must be in harmony with the entire work, otherwise it will look pretentious and give the reader the impression that you lack taste.

"The Ninth Wave"

Galina Churak

Curator of the exhibition and head of the department of painting of the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries

When we unpacked “The Ninth Wave” on the eve of the opening of the exhibition, everyone began to take pictures next to this painting. It seems that we all know both the work and the artist - whether we love him or not, this is still one of Aivazovsky’s hits. The viewer has always had a certain attitude towards him: there is a simple-minded viewer who likes everything. And there is a snobbish and critical viewer. It may seem that there was too much commerce in Aivazovsky, his work was focused on the public and on success - hence the long-established rejection of Aivazovsky.

Art developed in its own complex and often contradictory way, but Aivazovsky was, as it were, born a romantic and remained one throughout his life. He had an interest in the freedom of the elements, and with this is connected the romantic state that many of us experience in our youth.

I love Aivazovsky for his dedication to the subject and the enormous skill of the artist, which did not betray him until his old age. “The Wave,” for example, was painted at the age of 70, and he still stood in front of the huge canvas without fear, his hand and eye unerringly determining the correct stroke. The work forces us to come closer and closer, we are captivated by the pattern of the waves, the shape and depth of the abyss. In such works, the dramas of humanity and the world are played out - almost reaching the point of cosmism.

Researchers of his writing always say that the artist’s techniques are clear; he does not use so many colors, but he knows how to lay them out in layers with such skill that he creates a bottomlessness and variety of shades, light and color. His paintings convey a sense of the power of light flows - the illumination of the crest of a wave, the boiling and rush of water, and notice how, in the midst of all this, he can incredibly precisely set a counterpoint, a color stroke that collects a different energy.

"Black Sea"

The familiar picture from the Tretyakov Gallery “The Black Sea” at one time struck Kramskoy with the fact that there was nothing in it except the sky and waves, but there was an ocean, immense and boundless, forever moving, forever swaying, like the breath of the world and a symbol of human destiny. It is no coincidence that in Kramskoy’s painting “Inconsolable Grief” a woman who has lost a child appears against the background of this very picture - as a symbol of fate and human destiny, a symbol of perseverance. Kramskoy said that among the 3000–4000 paintings by Aivazovsky, there are several dozen that are absolutely ideal in their execution.

“Inconsolable Grief”, Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoy

I had different attitudes towards Aivazovsky, but now I understand that he is much richer than just a painter of the sea. In each painting, his skill is combined with deep feelings and serious thoughts - and all this creates that image of the world.

Aivazovsky is not the first Russian artist to turn to depicting the sea - but no one has painted it the way he began to depict it. Shchedrin, a remarkable artist of the beginning of the century, was older - and for Aivazovsky he became an idol. He also painted the sea, but more coastal scenes - he did not like the open sea, he considered the movement of the waves too sloppy. Aivazovsky's main merit is that he put the image of the sea on a par with serious historical painting. Landscape has always been underestimated in our country, but Aivazovsky equalized it and brought it to the same level of significance as large historical canvases.

"View of Venice. San Giorgio"

If I could take any work home, I would choose “View of Venice. San Giorgio." The seascape is painted on a board, and the basis itself gives the artist the opportunity for absolute smooth painting. This painting is remarkable because it has absolute clarity, purity and peace: the location is so well chosen and the foreground is wonderfully related to the calm water, the expanse of the sky and the calm clouds. By the way, in addition to the sea, we will also show several portraits at the exhibition - this is uncharacteristic for Aivazovsky, he did not paint them very often. Among them there is an absolutely wonderful portrait of the traveler Platon Chikhachev, painted in Italy. An absolutely romantic image: a dreamy pose, a red cap on the head, the deck of a sailboat, the sea and a fading perspective.

We are not trying to rehabilitate Aivazovsky, but with this exhibition we want to show his diversity and depth. Yes, during his lifetime he was a commercial artist, he thought through where and how to organize exhibitions, but most of them were held for charitable purposes - he gave admission money to poor students and young artists, peasants who suffered from crop failure. He was a worthy man - and our first artist to receive the Order of the French Legion - twice. Having incredible fame in Europe, he lived all his life in Feodosia, where he was born. For the residents of this then small provincial town, he installed a water supply system, which supplied him with 50,000 buckets of water per day. He opened a library and built an archaeological museum. He donated money to Armenian schools and churches, and gave paintings to decorate Armenian churches.

Of course, a person cannot be perfect in every way. In the memories of him you can find such a funny moment: Aivazovsky loved it when he was awarded orders. He has such a large portrait that we couldn’t even get it: in it he depicts himself in a full admiral’s uniform with all the orders that he ever had.

Aivazovsky in painting
equal to Pushkin in poetry

The sea roared... The gray shaft
It crashed noisily on the rocks,
And his howl merged with the wind,
Threatening misfortune and misfortune.
The sea calmed down... The distance beckoned
Space, bliss, silence...
But even under the subsided wave
There was a dormant power lurking...

Ninth wave

.

Farewell, free elements!
For the last time before me
You're rolling blue waves
And you shine with proud beauty !

A.S. Pushkin

Statements of great people about the work of I. Aivazovsky.

• Stasov highly appreciated his work: “ Marine painter Aivazovsky by birth and by nature was an absolutely exceptional artist, with a keen sense of feeling, who independently conveyed, perhaps like no one else in Europe, water with its extraordinary beauties...”
• I. N. Kramskoy argued that Aivazovsky “there is a star of the first magnitude, in any case, and not only here, but in the history of art in general” .
• P. M. Tretyakov, wanting to buy a painting for his gallery, wrote to the artist: “...Give me your magic water, such that it would fully convey your incomparable talent.”
• The famous English marine painter Turner, who lived in Rome in 1842, dedicated admiring verses about the painting to Aivazovsky and his painting “The Bay of Naples on a Moonlit Night”::

In your picture I see the moon with its gold and silver,
Standing above the sea, reflected in it.
The surface of the sea, onto which a light breeze blows
A tremulous swell that seems like a field of sparks...
Forgive me, great artist, if I was wrong,
Taking the picture for reality,
But your work fascinated me
And delight took possession of me.
Your art is eternal and powerful,
Because you are inspired by genius .

Forgive me, artist,
If I made a mistake in accepting the picture
for reality -
But your work fascinated me
and delight took possession of me.

In the power of his canvas
We will be content with little, -
And a marvelous range of colors,
And the clarity of the strokes...
Until the ocean
Will cover us with the ninth wave,
And we will feel it ourselves,
How harsh is his temper!

Vadim Konstantinov

I.K. Aivazovsky is a famous Russian painter. They talked and talk about him as a unique master of the seascape. Absolutely all of his paintings are imbued with a unique emotionality.

In the painting “The Ninth Wave” the master depicted people struggling with the elements. This painting was recognized as a world masterpiece, and it is also the best work of the painter. In popular belief, in ancient times it was believed that the sea surf has a certain rhythmic sequence, in which one wave, after a certain amount of time

It can be more powerful than others. In ancient Greece there was a third wave, in Rome – a tenth, in Russia – a ninth.

The master found the necessary means to depict the power, grandeur and beauty of the sea element. The image is filled with deep inner sound. It surprises with its scale and tragedy. If you look closely at the very center of the canvas, you might think that you are in the center of everything that happens on it. The greatness of the raging elements of the sea is immense. Her strength is indestructible and great.

The rebellious element of unabated power can sweep away everything that comes its way. She seems to want to prove that for her there is no

Barriers, nothing can stop her. The rising sun brings the picture to life and gives it a touch of romance. The fiery glow that engulfs the sky and casts a glare on the deadly waves creates a feeling of grandeur.

Several people were caught in the very center of the inexorable elements. They are trying to win an unequal, deadly battle with the elements of the sea, settling down on the wreckage of a ship in disaster. They still have hope for salvation and are waiting for help, which is nowhere to be seen. Facing death, these people do not give up and try not to despair. Aivazovsky makes viewers wonder who will ultimately be stronger, courageous people or a formidable element.

Popular thought and fiction always associate the sea element with the desire for freedom, with assertive confrontation. I really liked this picture. The painter loved the sea very much. This is confirmed by his paintings: “The Black Sea”, “The Battle of Chesme” and others. The Ninth Wave represents Aivazovsky's most majestic and impressive work.

What helps a person to be happy? A job that brings pleasure, close people and creativity. For some people, creativity is both a hobby and work, while for others it is the contemplation of beauty. At school we study the paintings of great artists and prepare written works about them. Probably every person wrote Aivazovsky’s “The Tempest”. Let's remember the amazing work of the brilliant painter.

A few words about the author of the picture

Now we will talk about the author of the painting, familiar from childhood. Later we will write an essay on the painting “The Storm”. Aivazovsky Ivan Konstantinovich was born in the amazingly beautiful port city of Feodosia. This is probably why he was in love with the sea, its romance and power since childhood. Hovhannes Ayvazyan (the artist’s real name) was born on July 29, 1817. The boy grew up in poverty and studied at the Simferopol gymnasium. His passion for art led him to the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, where he learned from the outstanding masters of that time. After his studies, Aivazovsky traveled a lot, and in 1847 he became a professor at his alma mater.

Before writing an essay on the painting “The Storm” (Aivazovsky), I would like to note that the author of the painting excelled in seascapes and even worked as an artist at the naval headquarters. The most famous works are “The Black Sea” and “The Ninth Wave,” although he enjoyed depicting Ukrainian and Caucasian landscapes and episodes from Armenian history. In total, the painter’s creative heritage includes about six thousand canvases, into which he put his soul. And in addition to his favorite work, Ivan managed to engage in charity and public affairs, helped his hometown, founded a museum and art gallery, and contributed to the construction of the railroad. Ivan Konstantinovich died at the venerable age of 1900, having begun work on another canvas in Feodosia, where he was buried.

Amazing picture

You cannot write an essay on the painting “The Storm” (I.K. Aivazovsky) without knowing what is depicted in it. It was created by Ivan Konstantinovich in 1851, like a continuation of the canvas “Storm at Sea at Night” (1849). It was painted in oil on canvas and is kept in the State Russian Museum.

According to Aivazovsky’s biographers, the artist in his youth, already famous, was caught in a storm. The storm was so strong that the ship was considered sunken, and newspapers published about Ivan’s death. Experiences about life and admiration for the power of the elements, the confrontation between people and nature were reflected in the memory, and then appeared from under the master’s brush, surprising everyone.

Description of the painting “Storm”

Two-thirds of the canvas is occupied by the sky: gloomy, overcast. In the foreground is a foaming sea. The waves seem to be pumping, playing with the ship. The ship tilted very much from the strong wind, the sails were torn, the rigging was broken. A piece of the mast fell into the water, and the crazy whirlpool carried it into the distance. Looking at the picture, you literally hear the alarming cries of the seagulls that are trying to find shelter, the rumble of thunder, and the doomed cries of the crew. It’s easy to write an essay based on the painting “The Storm” (Aivazovsky), because it seems to be alive. Even just looking at a reproduction leaves a very strong impression, and what a thrill you get when you admire the original! Now describe Aivazovsky’s painting “The Storm” and you too.

Remembering school

How to write an essay based on Aivazovsky’s painting “The Storm”? First you need to make a plan. The work should have a short introduction, a main part devoted to the canvas, and a conclusion. For example, like this.

Man has always admired the sea, its strength and power, its immensity and mystery. When a storm came, it seemed to the little people that they had angered the forces of nature with something, and they tried to understand why. But they were unable to tame the elements; they could only wait, watching its games. These are the thoughts that engulf someone who looks at the brilliant canvas “Storm” by I. Aivazovsky.

The painting depicts a ship caught in a storm. Waves of terrible height mercilessly turn them in different directions, as if playing with the destinies of the people on board. A strong wind broke the rigging, carried away part of the mast somewhere and tilted the ship. It seems that it is about to fill with water and sink to the bottom, taking the desperate sailors with it. And only the seagulls will witness the tragedy, and only they will sing a sad song over their grave.

The sky is silent. Clouds of all shades of blue and gray hid the sun behind them. True, occasionally the rays of daylight still break through, giving people at least some hope. Maybe the elements have already had enough of a storm and will move away, leaving the ship afloat? Maybe the wind has played enough with the ship and will fly upward, accelerating Who will win this time - the little man or Mother Nature? Who knows?

Aivazovsky is a brilliant master, as he was able to convey with colors the realistic grandeur of the sea, as well as its indomitable power. It only seems to a person that he is the king of nature, but in fact he is her child: small, disobedient and helpless. He must understand that his efforts are in vain, and come to terms with the fate that the elements have prepared for him. However, the team fights to the end, and a ray of light gives them hope for salvation.

Instead of a conclusion

The artist and his canvas make the viewer think about life and their place in it. After all, our existence is a small ship in a huge sea, which either sails in calm or fights a storm. And how this voyage ends depends on us and our actions.