Brief Biography-Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky was from Feodosia in Crimea. Born into an impoverished family, supporters helped him enter the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts. He quickly turned his talents to marine art above other genres. In 1837, he received his first award, which gave him the means to tour outside Russia. He had success in several European countries after 1840. In England, he received praise from J.W.M. Turner.
On returning to Saint Petersburg, he became an Academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts and subsequently sailed with the Russian Naval fleet as their head artist. He travelled as far as Turkey and over to the United States, achieving success wherever he exhibited. In 1850, he painted his most famous painting, The Ninth Wave. As his output was prolific, estimates state that he painted over 6000 works, mainly of marine nature. He was one of the most notable Russian artists of his time.