YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — An exhibition dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Russian-Armenian seascape artist Hovhannes (Ivan) Aivazovsky is set to begin at the National Gallery of Armenia on September 15, the Gallery administration announced.
Earlier, Arman Tsaturyan, Director of the National Gallery of Armenia, unveiled plans to organize great events dedicated to the artist’s 200th anniversary, expecting increased interest.
“We intend to exhibit those works by Aivazovsky which have not been displayed previously. Thus, the exhibition features not only the paintings on permanent display, but also the works kept at the funds of the National Gallery of Armenia,” the director said, adding that due to the efforts of Armenia’s Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan and the museum famous painting “Chaos” by Aivazovsky kept at the Mkhitarian Congregation in Venice has been transferred to Armenia to enter into the exhibition.
The anniversary was put on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Anniversaries.
Aivazovsky (born July 29, 1817 – died May 5, 1900), also known as Haivazovskiy, was a Russian painter of Armenian descent, most famous for his seascapes, which constitute more than half of his paintings. Aivazovskiy was born to a poor Armenian family in the city of Theodosia in the Crimea.
At the age of 20, he graduated from the Art Academy of St. Petersburg with a gold medal. He went to Italy to continue his studies and returned as an internationally acclaimed seascape painter. Neither financial security nor life in Palace interested him. He returned to his native land, built a workplace on the seashore and, until the last days of his life, dedicated himself to the work that he loved. He participated in exhibitions all over the world.
