The artwork entitled “Rough Sea at Night” is a luminous example of Romanticism, a movement that exalted the power and sublimity of nature. Painted by the illustrious Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky in 1853, this oil on canvas measures 82 by 117 centimeters. It falls within the marina genre, capturing the relentless force of the sea. Currently, this artwork is housed within a private collection.
The composition of the artwork is dominated by a vast, tumultuous sea under a nocturnal sky. The moon, obscured by thick clouds, sheds a ghostly light over the dramatic scene. It illuminates the crests of the waves that surge with furious energy, dwarfing a ship that is tossed precariously by the heaving waters. The sailing vessel on the right-hand side of the painting appears to be struggling against the might of the ocean, its masts inclined in a battle with the wind and waves.
In the foreground, the sea is shown breaking against rocks, with the water rendered in a mix of translucent and opaque brushstrokes, highlighting the wild foam and spray. Aivazovsky’s mastery in depicting light effects is evident, as the ethereal glow of the moon pierces through the dense clouds, casting a silvery sheen over the scene and reinforcing the tempestuous atmosphere. The artist’s skillful use of light and shadow creates a palpable sense of depth, emphasizing the overwhelming power of the natural world in contrast to human fragility, a common theme within the Romantic artistic tradition.
