The artwork, titled “On the Storm,” was created by Ivan Aivazovsky in 1872. It is an oil painting on canvas, featuring dimensions of 72 x 92 cm. Manifesting the Romanticism art movement, the genre of the painting is marina, which predominantly focuses on maritime subjects and nautical scenery.
In the artwork, a small boat besieged by tumultuous waves is portrayed. The painting exhibits Aivazovsky’s mastery in capturing the dynamic and often treacherous nature of the sea. The boat, populated with people clinging tightly, appears fragile against the vast, roaring expanse of the ocean. Light filtering through the stormy sky creates a dramatic atmosphere, emphasizing the peril and struggle against the might of nature. The swirling hues of green and blue in the water, juxtaposed with the soft, almost ethereal sky, elicit a sense of both awe and dread. The composition highlights the sublime quality of the maritime environment, a hallmark of Romanticism.
