Island of Patmos

According to legend, a mysterious book of the New Testament was created on the island of Patmos (a place of exile during the time of early Christians) in the Aegean Sea—The Book of Revelation (also called the Apocalypse of John, Revelation to John, or Revelation from Jesus Christ) unveils the fate of the world in the end times.

Contrasts of moonlight on the surface of the agitated sea surface and deep shadows give the landscape a mood of drama and mystery. It is enhanced by the black silhouette of the castle on the rocky shore. To show the all-consuming magic of the beauty of the sea, Aivazovsky used thousands of shades and color nuances. He always used color as a means of emotional impact on the viewer.

Possessing a unique visual memory, the marine painter constantly enriched it during his travels. The artist spoke about his creative method: “A person who is not gifted with memory can be an excellent copyist, but never a true artist. The movements of the living elements are elusive for the brush. The plot of the picture is composed in my memory, like the plot of a poem by a poet ... ". Giving free rein to the imagination, Aivazovsky created vivid canvases that amaze with the truthfulness of the images.

We present today's work thanks to the Omsk Regional Museum of the Fine Arts.  : )

P.S. Read here about the "Pompeii of the Aegean," the amazing wall paintings of Thera. Here you can get to know more about Ivan Aivazovsky and his moody seascapes.