Ivan Aivazovsky
Ivan Aivazovsky was born July 29, 1817 in Russia (of Armenian descent). He was an oil painting artist, most famous for his seascapes, which constitute more than half of his oil paintings. His talent as an artist earned him sponsorship and entry to the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, from which he graduated with the gold medal. Earning awards for his early landscapes and seascapes, he went on to paint a series of portraits of Crimean coastal towns before traveling throughout Europe. In later life, his paintings of naval scenes earned him a longstanding commission from the Russian Navy. Due to his long life in art, Aivazovsky became the most prolific Russian painter of his time. He left over 6,000 works at his death on May 9,1900. With funds earned during his successful career as an artist he opened an art school and gallery in his home town of Feodosiya.
