Lot No. 1255


Ivan Constantinowitsch Aivazovsky


Ivan Constantinowitsch Aivazovsky - 19th Century Paintings

(Feodosia 1817–1900) On Stormy Seas, signed Aivasov, inscribed and dated on the reverse in the artist’s own hand Aivazovsky Biarritz 1889, oil on panel, 18 x 27 cm, framed, (GG)

Provenance:
Acquired around the turn of the century by the great-grandmother of the current owner; thence by family descent

We are grateful to Gianni Caffiero for confirming the authenticity of this work after examing the painting in the original in June 2013.
The painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné being prepared by Gianni Caffiero and Ivan Samarin.

Ivan Aivazovsky was born in a time of extensive change in Western Europe. Indeed the 19th century saw the most dramatic changes throughout the world. Science, medicine, education, communication and transport were changing the way people lived their lives, so quickly and so irrevocably, in a way that had never happened before. There was undoubtedly a feeling of optimism and faith in human achievement. It was the age of nationalism and colonialism, rising wealth, exploitation of natural resources and booming industry. The 19th century gave rise to a growing middle class with the education and means for a cultural life. It was in this period that galleries, museums, concert halls and opera houses first opened to the public. It is in this internationally changing context that Ivan Aivazovsky started his career as marine painter.

Born in Theodosia, a port on the Black Sea, Aivazovsky demonstrated his artistic ability from an early age and later studied under the landscape artist Maxim Nikiforovich Vorobiov (1787-1855) at the St Petersburg Academy of Arts. He quickly established a reputation for his masterful seascapes which combine delicate tonal harmony with an almost imaginary quality. He was captivated by the sea. He painted it in every weather and light; in calm and storm, by day and night. Like many young Russian painters of his generation, Ivan Aivazovsky was deeply influenced by the plein air technique of Sylvester Shchendrin (1791-1830).
He visited Italy in the second half of 1840 during a study tour. He was motivated by the hope of discovering the secrets in the art of Russian artist Sylvester Shchendrin (1791-1830) who lived in Naples and Rome.
Shchendrin had indeed managed to break with the academic tradition in the 1820s.
He painted views of Naples en plein air, which were not only true to nature but also filled with a poetic sensibility. However, Aivazovsky was not entirely satisfied with Shchendrin’s perception of nature. Consequently he abandoned plein air painting after this trip, preferring to work from pencil sketches. From that moment onwards he worked not from nature but from memory.

Shipwrecks and ships sailing amidst a storm were popular subject matter in nineteenth century European painting. The artist would return to these subjects throughout his life.

The two paintings presented in this sale are an important rediscovery. Both are good examples of Aivazovsky’s mature work.

In the present first lot, Ship at Sea, the crashing waves recall the supreme power of the sea.
Since earliest times the symbolism of boats at sea has been understood as an allegory of man’s difficult passage through life. Life is temporary, circumstances can change and trouble can rise up unexpectedly at any time.
The painting is dated 1889 and inscribed Biarritz. It might have been executed there, or painted from memory back in his studio in Theodosia.
Small pictures such as the present lot could have been painted in just 45 minutes. It was normal for the artist to paint fairly large pictures in the space of a day. He painted countless small works. Often he would give these away as presents.

Specialist: Gautier Gendebien Gautier Gendebien
+39-334-777 1603

Gautier.Gendebien@dorotheum.it

16.10.2013 - 18:00

Realized price: **
EUR 73,500.-
Estimate:
EUR 30,000.- to EUR 40,000.-

Ivan Constantinowitsch Aivazovsky


(Feodosia 1817–1900) On Stormy Seas, signed Aivasov, inscribed and dated on the reverse in the artist’s own hand Aivazovsky Biarritz 1889, oil on panel, 18 x 27 cm, framed, (GG)

Provenance:
Acquired around the turn of the century by the great-grandmother of the current owner; thence by family descent

We are grateful to Gianni Caffiero for confirming the authenticity of this work after examing the painting in the original in June 2013.
The painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné being prepared by Gianni Caffiero and Ivan Samarin.

Ivan Aivazovsky was born in a time of extensive change in Western Europe. Indeed the 19th century saw the most dramatic changes throughout the world. Science, medicine, education, communication and transport were changing the way people lived their lives, so quickly and so irrevocably, in a way that had never happened before. There was undoubtedly a feeling of optimism and faith in human achievement. It was the age of nationalism and colonialism, rising wealth, exploitation of natural resources and booming industry. The 19th century gave rise to a growing middle class with the education and means for a cultural life. It was in this period that galleries, museums, concert halls and opera houses first opened to the public. It is in this internationally changing context that Ivan Aivazovsky started his career as marine painter.

Born in Theodosia, a port on the Black Sea, Aivazovsky demonstrated his artistic ability from an early age and later studied under the landscape artist Maxim Nikiforovich Vorobiov (1787-1855) at the St Petersburg Academy of Arts. He quickly established a reputation for his masterful seascapes which combine delicate tonal harmony with an almost imaginary quality. He was captivated by the sea. He painted it in every weather and light; in calm and storm, by day and night. Like many young Russian painters of his generation, Ivan Aivazovsky was deeply influenced by the plein air technique of Sylvester Shchendrin (1791-1830).
He visited Italy in the second half of 1840 during a study tour. He was motivated by the hope of discovering the secrets in the art of Russian artist Sylvester Shchendrin (1791-1830) who lived in Naples and Rome.
Shchendrin had indeed managed to break with the academic tradition in the 1820s.
He painted views of Naples en plein air, which were not only true to nature but also filled with a poetic sensibility. However, Aivazovsky was not entirely satisfied with Shchendrin’s perception of nature. Consequently he abandoned plein air painting after this trip, preferring to work from pencil sketches. From that moment onwards he worked not from nature but from memory.

Shipwrecks and ships sailing amidst a storm were popular subject matter in nineteenth century European painting. The artist would return to these subjects throughout his life.

The two paintings presented in this sale are an important rediscovery. Both are good examples of Aivazovsky’s mature work.

In the present first lot, Ship at Sea, the crashing waves recall the supreme power of the sea.
Since earliest times the symbolism of boats at sea has been understood as an allegory of man’s difficult passage through life. Life is temporary, circumstances can change and trouble can rise up unexpectedly at any time.
The painting is dated 1889 and inscribed Biarritz. It might have been executed there, or painted from memory back in his studio in Theodosia.
Small pictures such as the present lot could have been painted in just 45 minutes. It was normal for the artist to paint fairly large pictures in the space of a day. He painted countless small works. Often he would give these away as presents.

Specialist: Gautier Gendebien Gautier Gendebien
+39-334-777 1603

Gautier.Gendebien@dorotheum.it


Buyers hotline Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at

+43 1 515 60 200
Auction: 19th Century Paintings
Auction type: Saleroom auction
Date: 16.10.2013 - 18:00
Location: Vienna | Palais Dorotheum
Exhibition: 05.10. - 16.10.2013


** Purchase price incl. charges and taxes

It is not possible to turn in online buying orders anymore. The auction is in preparation or has been executed already.