Mesmerizing Translucent Waves From 19th Century Paintings

The late 19th century Armenian-Russian painter Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky (1817-1900) created some truly spectacular paintings of seascapes that capture the beautiful, shimmering essence of the tumultuous waters.

What separates Aivazovsky's seascape paintings from others is his ability to replicate both the intensity and motion as well as the translucency and texture. His energetic waves and calm ripples are equally effective. Aivazovsky also plays with colors, simulating the effects of sunlight filtering through the waters to present an ethereal quality that imitates a sort of magical realism.