Aivazovsky Ivan Konstantinovich

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky (Gaivazovsky) was a painter, educator, and one of the founders of Russian marine painting, known for his seascapes, coastal city views, and works depicting the history of the Russian Navy. From 1833 to 1839, he studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts under M. N. Vorobiev and F. Tanner. In 1837, he received a large gold medal for his paintings 'Calm in the Gulf of Finland' and 'Great Raid in Kronstadt.' From 1840 to 1844, he was a pensioner of the Academy of Arts in Italy. In 1843, he was awarded a gold medal at an exhibition in Paris. He became an Academician and painter to the Main Naval Staff in 1844, and a professor in 1847. From 1846, he lived and taught in Feodosia, where he established his own art studio and founded an art gallery. He was a member of the Roman, Florentine, Stuttgart, and Amsterdam Academies. His self-portrait is housed in the Uffizi Gallery (Florence).