The artwork, titled “Gondolier at Sea by Night,” was painted by Ivan Aivazovsky in 1843. This piece is rendered in oil on canvas and reflects the Romanticism art movement. Measuring 73 x 117 cm, it belongs to the genre of marina painting and is part of the collection at the Tatarstan State Museum in Kazan, Russia.
In the artwork, the luminous moonlight casts a serene glow over the tranquil sea, where a solitary gondolier navigates his vessel. To the left, a sailboat, bathed in the same ethereal light, further enhances the scene’s peace and calm. The dark silhouettes of Venice’s iconic architecture loom in the background, their forms softened and mystified by the nocturnal haze. The subtle interplay of light and shadow exemplifies Aivazovsky’s mastery in capturing the tranquil beauty and the atmospheric depth of the night sea.
