The artwork, titled “Supporting the Waves,” is an oil painting on board created by Ivan Aivazovsky in 1890. It is associated with the Romanticism movement and measures 15 x 25 cm. The genre is classified as marina, which refers to seascapes and maritime themes.
In this evocative artwork, Aivazovsky masterfully depicts a tumultuous sea with a ship struggling against the formidable waves. The colors are predominantly cool, with an interplay of blues and greens, portraying the relentless energy of the ocean. The sky above, infused with subtle tones of yellow and orange, suggests the time of either dawn or dusk, casting a dramatic light on the scene. The ship, rendered with delicate yet assertive strokes, appears almost overwhelmed by the surrounding waves, symbolizing both the fragility and resilience of human endeavor against nature’s powerful forces. The fine crackle texture of the paint adds an element of age and depth, enhancing the timeless and dynamic quality of the seascape.
