The artwork titled “The Gale on Sea is Over” was created by the renowned artist Ivan Aivazovsky in the year 1839. Rendered in oil on canvas and measuring 91 by 135 centimeters, this work belongs to the Romanticism movement and is classified under the genre of marina. It currently resides in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork vividly captures the aftermath of a tumultuous sea gale, as indicated by the title, with a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. The tumultuous sky, laden with dark, looming clouds, dominates much of the composition, imparting a sense of the storm’s lingering presence. The churning sea, rendered with Aivazovsky’s masterful depiction of waves and water, betrays the ferocity that has just passed, while a lone ship, partially submerged and leaning, bears evidence of the storm’s fury. The shoreline is populated with figures, likely sailors, who appear to be recovering from the ordeal, depicted with a sense of motion and urgency. The rocky cliff to the left stands as a silent, stoic witness to the scene’s drama. The overall effect is one of awe-inspiring natural power, juxtaposed with human vulnerability, quintessential themes of Romanticism.
