Sheep which forced by storm to the sea 1855

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky painted "Sheep which forced by storm to the sea" in 19th century Russia. In it, we see a chaotic scene of nature's power, with sheep being driven into the sea by a storm while shepherds attempt to control them. Aivazovsky was a key figure in the Russian Romantic movement, a movement preoccupied with sublime, untamed nature. His work often reflects the nationalistic sentiments that prevailed in Russia at the time. It's fascinating to note the cultural context in which Aivazovsky operated; he enjoyed considerable patronage from the Russian Imperial family. The painting perhaps comments on the vulnerability of the common people in the face of larger forces. To truly understand this work, we can examine the historical context of 19th-century Russia, its social hierarchies, and its artistic institutions.