The Ninth Wave
1850 painting by Ivan Aïvazovsky
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The Ninth Wave (Russian: Девятый вал, Dyevyatiy val) is an 1850 painting by Russian marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky. It is his best-known work.[1][2]
| The Ninth Wave | |
|---|---|
| |
| Artist | Ivan Aivazovsky |
| Year | 1850 |
| Medium | Oil-on-canvas |
| Dimensions | 221 cm × 332 cm (87 in × 131 in) |
| Location | State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg |
The title refers to an old sailing expression referring to a wave of incredible size that comes after a succession of incrementally larger waves.[3]
It depicts a sea after a night storm and people facing death attempting to save themselves by clinging to debris from a wrecked ship. The debris, in the shape of the cross, appears to be a Christian metaphor for salvation from earthly sin. The painting has warm tones, which reduce the sea's apparent menacing overtones, and a chance for the people to survive seems plausible. This painting shows both the destructiveness and beauty of nature.[citation needed]
