Battle of Chesma

8:00 AM

Ivan Aivazovsky, Battle of Chesma, 1848
The Battle of Chesma was the  first of many battles between the Ottoman Empire and Russia during the Orlov Revolt. Aivazovsky gives his piece a bit of a theatrical twist, with people who must have been on those ruined boats just hanging out on a shipwreck and watching this battle as if it was a movie. To skip a history lesson, this battle was absolutely disastrous for the Ottomans. Hence, one side of the piece appears almost completely stable, with a calm moon peeking from the clouds. The other side - decimated. One inconsistency in that statement, though, is the destroyed ship in clear view  - presumably on the Russian side - carries the flag of the Ottoman Empire in plain sight. Perhaps it's just for clarity, but I think it's interesting how he placed the ruined boat on the safe side and not with the rest of the destruction.
Aivazovsky's technique is completely melodramatic, but his use of the firelight on the water and his creation of fire even in the smoke is unique. His clouds even have depth to them, something I haven't found in many paintings of his era. I assume a battle in 1770 didn't have such large explosions, but it adds such interest to the piece - it's a giant pillar of fire.

The Western art world doesn't give much focus to Aivazovsky as a painter, probably something to do with his subjects - which were always historical in some right. His work is similar to J.M.W. Turner's, who clearly gave him inspiration in his lighting of the water and his attention to detail. Especially in this piece, so chaotic in its subject matter but so serene in its execution, Aivazovsky calls upon memories of Turner's Slave Ship. I really enjoy him.

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