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Kerch

Ivan Aivazovsky • Painting, 1839, 51×71 cm
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About the artwork
Art form: Painting
Subject and objects: Landscape
Style of art: Romanticism
Technique: Oil
Materials: Canvas
Date of creation: 1839
Size: 51×71 cm
Artwork in selections: 38 selections
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Description of the artwork «Kerch»

Kerch, Aivazovsky’s early painting is indicative of his development as an artist. In it, one can observe the beginnings of what Aivazovsky would fully develop in the coming years, those important things for him that have yet been outlined, the direction in which his art would develop. It is all the more interesting to look at it today, when we know how these searches were executed.

Kerch occupies the right-hand background, we see it from a distance. Only the outlines of the city are distinguishable, this gives the artist the opportunity to show the general plan, the area relief. Yes, Aivazovsky became the creator of large-scale paintings, and in this case it is not about size, but about coverage.

Flashes of emerald and blue, still are just waves, not “the Aivazovsky waves”, a bright ball of the setting sun over the horizon. These are the harbingers of those bright colours, sunsets and sunrises, sunny and moonlit paths on the water, which would soon glorify Aivazovsky. But he is still young and does not dare to express himself with all his might, while he does not yet know his might. He relies on classical samples, but he feels that he will be cramped in them. Pushing these boundaries, he will first show the bright unsubdued colours of nature. The native of the south knew a lot about them. Then he will learn how to soften them and reach unprecedented heights in this. In the end, he will be able to create whatever he wants, practically in monochrome. But this powerful colouristic restraint is not the same as the colour straightforwardness and timidity of his first works. The painter spent his life to reach such a level of mastery.

Written by Aliona Esaulova


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