ART HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION

AIVAZOVSKY

 

When Aivazovsky depicts a maritime landscape theme, a ferocious  stormy ocean for instance, he always include a man or a group of men to fight the elements of nature. Fighting all odds, the tumultuous storms of the high seas and the strong winds symbolize man’s fight against the hardship of his existence and surmounting the difficulties man encounters in his life. This fight symbolized as well, the Armenians fight against conquering foreign forces and their struggles to keep Armenia a free nation. It is the absolute symbol of freedom, independence and national pride. In addition to inviting humans to resist the hardship of nature and life, the artist invites light to occupy a primordial place in his paintings, for “light” represents and symbolizes the “Spirit of Armenia”.  To all Armenians, “LIGHT” means “PATRIOTISM”, “CHRISTIAN FAITH”, “THE CHURCH”, “JESUS CHRIST”, “THE IMMORTAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS”. Thus, light plays a paramount role in the selection of the theme, in the structure of the painting, in the composition of forms and patterns, in the construction of lines and curves, and above all, in the message the artist wishes to convey. In that sense, Aivazovsky becomes a prophet, a messenger, a patriot, a philosopher and an illuminated artistAivazovsky depicts a maritime landscape theme, a ferocious  stormy ocean for instance, he always include a man or a group of men to fight the elements of nature. Fighting all odds, the tumultuous storms of the high seas and the strong winds symbolize man’s fight against the hardship of his existence and surmounting the difficulties man encounters in his life. This fight symbolized as well, the Armenians fight against conquering foreign forces and their struggles to keep Armenia a free nation. It is the absolute symbol of freedom, independence and national pride.

In addition to inviting humans to resist the hardship of nature and life, the artist invites light to occupy a primordial place in his paintings, for “light” represents and symbolizes the “Spirit of Armenia”.  To all Armenians, “LIGHT” means “PATRIOTISM”, “CHRISTIAN FAITH”, “THE CHURCH”, “JESUS CHRIST”, “THE IMMORTAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS”. Thus, light plays a paramount role in the selection of the theme, in the structure of the painting, in the composition of forms and patterns, in the construction of lines and curves, and above all, in the message the artist wishes to convey. In that sense, Aivazovsky becomes a prophet, a messenger, a patriot, a philosopher and an illuminated artistWhen Aivazovsky depicts a maritime landscape theme, a ferocious  stormy ocean for instance, he always include a man or a group of men to fight the elements of nature. Fighting all odds, the tumultuous storms of the high seas and the strong winds symbolize man’s fight against the hardship of his existence and surmounting the difficulties man encounters in his life. This fight symbolized as well, the Armenians fight against conquering foreign forces and their struggles to keep Armenia a free nation. It is the absolute symbol of freedom, independence and national pride.

                                                          Ivan Aivazovsky. The Battle of Chesme, 1848. Oil on canvas. The Aivazovsky Art Gallery, Feodosia, Ukraine.

In addition to inviting humans to resist the hardship of nature and life, the artist invites light to occupy a primordial place in his paintings, for “light” represents and symbolizes the “Spirit of Armenia”.  To all Armenians, “LIGHT” means “PATRIOTISM”, “CHRISTIAN FAITH”, “THE CHURCH”, “JESUS CHRIST”, “THE IMMORTAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS”. Thus, light plays a paramount role in the selection of the theme, in the structure of the painting, in the composition of forms and patterns, in the construction of lines and curves, and above all, in the message the artist wishes to convey. In that sense, Aivazovsky becomes a prophet, a messenger, a patriot, a philosopher and an illuminated artist.