the collector's folio

Ivan Aivazovsky Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Ivan Aivazovsky · 1817 – 1900

The Ninth Wave by Ivan Aivazovsky

1850 · original 221 x 332 cm

A colossal, translucent wave looms over a small boat under a fiery, turbulent sky.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #1: The Ninth Wave

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

View of Constantinople and the Bosporus, Ivan Aivazovsky

Discover Ivan Aivazovsky’s ‘View of Constantinople.’ Admire this Romantic masterpiece capturing Istanbul’s beauty & historical grandeur. Oil painting, sunset hues, & maritime art.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #2: View of Constantinople and the Bosporus

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20240 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

The ninth wave

The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Ivan Aivazovsky: Jesus walks on water

1888

A radiant white light cuts through a turbulent night sea, where a small boat of disciples huddles amidst dark, swirling waves.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #4: Jesus walks on water

Art Movement: Romantic Seascapes

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$27728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Ivan Aivazovsky: Creation of the World

1864 · original 196 x 233 cm

A small boat drifts amidst turbulent waves and lightning under a bruised sky, rendered with luminous glazing and expressive brushstrokes.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #5: Creation of the World

Art Movement: Romantic Landscape
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1470233 × 196 cm Commission at original size

Ivan Aivazovsky: The Bay of Naples at moonlit night. Vesuvius

1840 · original 27 x 20 cm

Silver moonlight spills across the Mediterranean waves, casting a luminous glow on small boats beneath the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #6: The Bay of Naples at moonlit night. Vesuvius

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Experience the dramatic beauty of Ivan Aivazovsky's 'Seascape with Full Moon.' This iconic Russian masterpiece captures the raw power and serene tranquility of the Black Sea under a luminous full moon. Hand-painted reproductions available.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #7: Seacape with Full Moon

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Deluge by Ivan Aivazovsky, 1864

1864 · original 247 x 369 cm

Lightning fractures a dark sky over crashing waves and thirteen souls clinging to jagged rocks in this dramatic 1864 oil on canvas.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #8: Deluge

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

The Bay of Naples at moonlit night. Vesuvius, 1870, Ivan Aivazovsky

1870

Silver moonlight spills across the calm Mediterranean waves, reflecting near small boats under the silent, looming shadow of Vesuvius.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #9: The Bay of Naples at moonlit night. Vesuvius

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Between the waves (1898) by Ivan Aivazovsky

1898 · Feodosia National Gallery I. K. Aivazovsky, Feodosiia · original 66 x 97 cm

Powerful waves surge with thick impasto texture and deep blues, capturing the raw, turbulent energy of a stormy sea in this 1898 oil painting.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #10: Between the waves

Art Movement: Romantic Seascapes

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33697 × 66 cm Commission at original size

Battle of Cesme at Night, Ivan Aivazovsky

1848 · original 193 x 183 cm

Experience the dramatic intensity of Ivan Aivazovsky’s ‘Battle of Cesme at Night,’ a monumental Romantic seascape capturing the chaos and heroism of the Russo-Turkish War. Explore its masterful use of light, color, and composition.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #11: Battle of Cesme at Night

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1173183 × 193 cm Commission at original size

Ivan Aivazovsky, Travel of Poseidon by sea (1894)

1894 · original 215 x 322 cm

A powerful god commands a chariot through a churning maelstrom of thick impasto waves and dark clouds in this dramatic Romantic seascape.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #12: Travel of Poseidon by sea

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20239 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Ivan Aivazovsky: Shipwreck of Lefort

1858

Aivazovsky's 'Shipwreck of Lefort' captures the dramatic sinking of a Russian warship, showcasing his mastery of light and turbulent seas. A Romantic masterpiece.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #13: Shipwreck of Lefort

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$30228 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Harbor At Odessa On The Black Sea by Ivan Aivazovsky, 1852

1852 · original 114 x 145 cm

A large sailing ship dominates this lively harbor scene, where translucent glazes capture sunlight dancing on the Black Sea waves.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #14: The Harbor At Odessa On The Black Sea

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$631145 × 114 cm Commission at original size

Battle of Sinop (1853) by Ivan Aivazovsky

1853 · original 220 x 331 cm

Aivazovsky’s dramatic Battle of Sinop captures the chaotic intensity of naval warfare with fiery ships and desperate sailors, a quintessential Romantic masterpiece showcasing the artist's unparalleled skill in depicting maritime scenes.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #15: Battle of Sinop

Art Movement: Romantic Painting
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Stormy Sea. – Ivan Aivazovsky

1868 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Experience the raw power of nature in Ivan Aivazovsky's 'Stormy Sea.' This iconic 1868 oil painting captures a dramatic seascape at the Tretyakov Gallery.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #16: Stormy Sea.

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$32734 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Rocky Cliffs

Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Istanbul

Discover 'Rocky Cliffs' by Ivan Aivazovsky – a dramatic 19th-century Romantic seascape showcasing turbulent seas & towering cliffs. Explore this masterpiece of light & texture!

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #17: Rocky Cliffs

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17740 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Lunar night on Capri

1841 · original 26 x 38 cm

A moonlit ocean scene where a large sailboat glides through dramatic clouds and dark waves.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #18: Lunar night on Capri

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The Shipwreck on Northern sea by Ivan Aivazovsky, 1865

1865

This dramatic Romantic shipwreck by Ivan Aivazovsky captures the raw power of the sea. Discover this masterpiece and bring the ocean home.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #19: The Shipwreck on Northern sea

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Icebergs in the Atlantic (1870)

1870 · original 110 x 130 cm

Experience the sublime power of nature with Aivazovsky's romantic 1870 seascape, capturing dramatic icebergs and ships adrift on the Atlantic.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #20: Icebergs in the Atlantic

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$566130 × 110 cm Commission at original size

Moon Night by Ivan Aivazovsky, 1885

1885 · original 24 x 18 cm

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Ivan Aivazovsky's 'Moon Night'! This stunning hand-painted reproduction captures the raw power and serenity of the sea under a silver moon. Own a masterpiece today!

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #21: Moon Night

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Lunar night in the Crimea by Ivan Aivazovsky

1862

Aivazovsky’s mesmerizing lunar seascape captures Crimea's tranquil night sky—a breathtaking depiction of the Black Sea illuminated by a radiant moon and dotted with sailboats. Explore this iconic Romantic masterpiece and bring its serene beauty into your home.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #22: Lunar night in the Crimea

Art Movement: Romantic Landscape Painting

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

A Lunar night on the Bosphorus (1894) by Ivan Aivazovsky

1894 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 50 x 76 cm

A Lunar night on the Bosphorus by Ivan Aivazovsky captures a breathtaking Romantic seascape with a shimmering full moon and tranquil boats – an iconic 1894 oil painting to own.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #23: A Lunar night on the Bosphorus

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26076 × 50 cm Commission at original size

Ships at the Feodosiya raid (1897) by Ivan Aivazovsky

1897

A vibrant sunset illuminates a fleet of ships in this breathtaking 1897 seascape by the master Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, inviting you to bring the sublime power of the ocean into your home.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #24: Ships at the Feodosiya raid

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Peter the First to light out a watch fire, 1846, Ivan Aivazovsky

1846 · The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Experience the dramatic Romanticism of Aivazovsky's Peter the First lighting a watch fire under a stormy sky; own this masterpiece of light and emotion today.

View the most popular artwork of Ivan Aivazovsky ranked #25: Peter the First to light out a watch fire

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 1,123 artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Ivan Aivazovsky

1817 – 1900

Quick facts

Museums on APSNational Museum in Warsaw, National Gallery of Armenia, Nikanor Onatsky Regional Art Museum in Sumy, Latvian National Museum of Art, Finnish National Gallery
Born1817, Feodosiia, Ukraine
NationalityUkraine
Best occasionsstatement
Room fitliving room
Died1900
Viberomantic, dramatic
Art period19th Century

Biography

Early Life, Family and Training

To understand the technical precision of Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, one must look to his origins in the Crimean port of Feodosia. Born on 29 July [O.S. 17 July] 1817, he was raised in an Armenian family. His baptismal name, Hovhannes, son of Gevorg Aivazian, reflects a specific cultural lineage that preceded his emergence in the Russian imperial art scene. This early environment, defined by the constant presence of the Black Sea, provided the raw material for a career that would eventually dominate marine painting.

His formal development was not a matter of chance but the result of rigorous academic instruction. He moved from the coastal realities of Feodosia to the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg. It was here that his talent was refined through disciplined study. Under the guidance of the landscape painter Maxim Vorobyov, Aivazovsky acquired the foundational skills necessary to translate the movement of water and light onto canvas. This training provided the structural logic behind his later, more dramatic compositions.

Travels and Italian Influence

Aivazovsky’s time in Italy during the early 1840s changed his trajectory. It was here that he transitioned from his student identity to the name Aivazovsky, a shift that coincided with his growing recognition in Europe. This period provided more than just a change in scenery; it offered a direct encounter with the light and atmosphere that would define his technical approach. His ability to translate these observations into significant work earned him a gold medal from Pope Gregory XVI.

His movement through the Mediterranean and the Levant continued to expand his visual vocabulary. In 1845, he traveled to the Aegean Sea, the Ottoman capital Constantinople, and the Greek islands of Patmos and Rhodes. These excursions provided the specific maritime environments necessary to refine his depictions of coastal light and sea conditions. The exposure to these diverse locations ensured his work was grounded in direct observation rather than mere academic imitation.

View of Leandrovsk tower in Constantinople (1848)

Naval Commissions and Career

Aivazovsky’s professional ascent was cemented by his direct connection to the machinery of the Russian Empire. His appointment as the official painter of the Russian Navy provided more than just a title; it granted him the proximity required to render maritime life with technical authority. This role allowed him to witness naval maneuvers and the realities of seafaring firsthand. He moved within the highest circles of power, maintaining close ties with the military and political elite of the empire. This social standing was not merely a byproduct of his talent but a reflection of his integration into the state's institutional structure.

His status within the imperial hierarchy continued to rise throughout his long career. In 1896, he reached the rank of full privy councillor, a significant elevation in the civil service. This position underscored his transition from a mere observer of the sea to a figure of substantial social and political weight. His work during this period reflected the dignity and scale expected by his patrons, moving beyond simple landscape studies into the realm of official state representation.

Battle of Sinop, 1853
Battle of Cesme at Night, 1848
Meeting of the Brig Mercury with the Russian Squadron After the Defeat of Two Turkis, undated

Mastery of Technique and Style

Aivazovsky’s command over the medium stems from a refusal to rely on mere academic precision. As a Russian Romantic painter, he prioritized the visceral impact of light and movement over static accuracy. He achieved this through a specific technical discipline: applying paint in thin, translucent layers. This method allowed light to penetrate the surface, creating a luminous texture that mimics the way sunlight filters through seawater. In works like Among the Waves, he utilized a glazing technique to produce waves that appear transparent, capturing the specific clarity of water in motion.

His ability to render the atmosphere was not a product of studio imagination alone. He frequently worked en plein air, painting directly from nature to seize fleeting light effects before they vanished. This direct engagement with the elements allowed him to translate the actual behavior of light on the sea onto the canvas. He did not merely depict a scene; he reconstructed the physics of light and water. His compositions often rely on the tension between deep, dark shadows and sudden, sharp highlights, a technique that emphasizes the physical weight of the ocean.

Iconic Masterpieces and Key Works

Aivazovsky’s ability to render the physics of water remains his most significant technical achievement. In The Ninth Wave (1850), he moves beyond simple observation to depict the violent aftermath of a storm. The work focuses on survivors clinging to wreckage amidst a sea of foam and turbulent energy. He achieved a specific translucency in his waves through a glazing technique, allowing light to appear as if it were passing through the crests of the water. This method gives his depictions of the ocean a physical, almost sculptural depth that avoids the flat surfaces of his contemporaries.

His command of light is perhaps most evident in his nocturnal compositions. The Bay of Naples at moonlit night (1842) uses a cool palette of blues and greens to establish a sense of stillness, while Moonlight in Feodosia (1852) captures a more tranquil, atmospheric scene. These works rely on thick impasto to create a textured surface that catches the light, mimicking the way moonlight hits moving water. Even in his later years, his focus on the interaction between celestial light and the sea remained constant, as seen in Among the waves (1898), where he continued to use light to define the movement of the swells.

Other significant works include:

View of Leandrovsk tower in Constantinople (1848)
Sea coast (1840)
Battle of Sinop (1853)

Legacy and Enduring Influence

Aivazovsky remains a central figure in the history of marine art, having established a standard for the genre that persists in modern collections. His technical approach to light and water left a clear imprint on subsequent painters, specifically influencing the work of Lev Lagorio, Mikhail Latri, Aleksey Ganzen, and Vartan Makhokhian. These artists operated within the shadow of his ability to render the ocean's physical presence. Beyond the sea, his contributions helped shape the trajectory of Russian landscape painting, moving the discipline toward a more dynamic engagement with natural forces.

The reach of his work is not confined to historical archives; his paintings continue to resonate with global audiences. This enduring appeal stems from a specific ability to translate the raw energy of the elements into a visual language that remains legible today. He did not merely paint scenes; he documented the interaction between light and liquid with a precision that defined an era of Romanticism. His influence is visible in the way later artists approached the atmospheric qualities of the coast and the sea.

The Ninth Wave (1850)
Among the Waves (1898)

Where to See the Works Today

Aivazovsky’s presence in modern collections remains substantial, ensuring his technical approach to light and water is still accessible to those studying marine art. In Moscow, the Tretyakov Gallery holds View of Leandrovsk tower in Constantinople, a work that demonstrates his ability to anchor a composition with architectural detail against a maritime backdrop. His reach extends to Istanbul, where the Sakıp Sabancı Museum maintains several of his canvases, including Seascape with Full Moon. These works allow for a direct examination of his glazing techniques and the way he handled nocturnal light.

The artist's most famous output, such as the 1850 work The Ninth Wave, continues to define the standard for dramatic seascape painting. While many of his approximately 6,000 paintings are dispersed across global institutions, specific collections provide the best insight into his evolution. For instance, The Harbor At Odessa On The Black Sea is held within our catalog, offering a view of his frequent subject matter. His legacy is not found in a single location but is distributed through major museums that preserve his specific rendering of the ocean's power.

The Ninth Wave (1850)
View of Leandrovsk tower in Constantinople
The Harbor At Odessa On The Black Sea
Seascape with Full Moon

Questions & Answers

Can I explore Ivan Aivazovsky's works by color spectrum?

Ivan Aivazovsky's works can be explored by color on the artist's Spectral Index page.

What other names is Ivan Aivazovsky known by?

Ivan Aivazovsky is also known as Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, Hovhannēs Ayvazyan, Ivan Konstantinovich Aiwasoffski, Ivan Konstantinovich Alwasoffski, Ivan Haivazovsky.

Can I browse Ivan Aivazovsky's works by color palette?

To find works by Ivan Aivazovsky in a specific palette, use the artist's By Palettes page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Oct. 14, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky born?
What was Aivazovsky's official title regarding the Russian Navy?
Which of these is considered Aivazovsky's most iconic masterpiece?
How many paintings did Aivazovsky produce throughout his career?
Which religious institution was Aivazovsky baptized at in Feodosia?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Ivan Aivazovsky

Every artwork by Ivan Aivazovsky in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Ivan Aivazovsky