Genoese towers in the Black Sea 1895

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky painted these Genoese towers in the Black Sea, using oil on canvas, sometime in the 19th century. This dramatic seascape depicts the ruins of a Genoese fortress, bathed in moonlight. Aivazovsky, who was based in Crimea, became famous for his romantic depictions of the sea. The artist's skillful use of light and shadow creates a captivating, if somewhat theatrical, scene. But beyond the aesthetic appeal, it’s worth considering the picture’s cultural context. The Genoese established colonies in the Black Sea region in the Middle Ages, and these towers are a visible reminder of that history. By Aivazovsky's time, the Russian Empire had expanded into this area, incorporating diverse cultures and histories into its fold. As historians, we might ask how Aivazovsky's painting speaks to the cultural politics of his time. Was he interested in empire-building, or was he concerned with the beauty of the natural world? To answer this, we might look at the archives, in particular, records of art exhibitions, to find out how Russian audiences responded to the painting at the time.