Trebizond from the Sea 1875

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky painted this seascape of Trebizond using oil on canvas. The intense realism of the waves, sky and ships is achieved with remarkable skill. Aivazovsky applied the paint in thin layers, building up a sense of depth and atmosphere, a practice rooted in the traditions of fine art painting. Note how the transparency of the oil medium allows light to filter through the layers, creating a luminous effect, particularly in the sky and the crests of the waves. This technique is called glazing, a method that requires patience, control and an understanding of the materials. It’s also worth considering the canvas itself, made from woven linen, and the labour involved in its production. The brushstrokes, though seemingly spontaneous, are actually very deliberate and carefully placed. Aivazovsky captures the raw power of the sea, but also the skill and labor required to harness it for trade and travel. Looking closely at the materials and methods used by Aivazovsky, we can appreciate not only the aesthetic beauty of the painting but also the complex relationship between art, labor, and the natural world.