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         >> I. Aivazovsky.
IVAN KONSTANTINOVICH AIVAZOVSKY (Hovhannes Aivazovsky July 29, 1817 – May 5, 1900) was a Russian painter of Armenian descent, most famous for his seascapes, which constitute more than half of his paintings.
Aivazovsky was born in the town of Feodosiya, Crimea, to a poor Armenian family. His parents family name was Aivazian. Some of artist's paintings bear a signature, in Armenian letters, 'Hovhannes Aivazian'. His talent as an artist earned him sponsorship and entry to the Simferopol gymnasium №1 and later the St.Petersburg Academy of Arts, which he graduated with the gold medal. Earning awards for his early landscapes and seascapes, he went on to paint a series of portraits of Crimean coastal towns before traveling throughout Europe. In later life, his paintings of naval scenes earned him a longstanding commission from the Russian Navy.
In 1845, Aivazovsky went to Istanbul upon the invitation of Sultan Abdülmecid, a city he was to travel to eight times between 1845 – 1890. During his long sojourn in Istanbul, Aivazovsky was commissioned for a number of paintings as a court painter by the Ottoman Sultans Abdülmecid, Abdulaziz and Abdulhamid, 30 of which are currently on display in the Ottoman Imperial Palace, the Dolmabahce Museum and many others at various other museums in Turkey.
Due to his long life in art, Aivazovsky became the most prolific Russian painter of his days. He left over 6 000 works at his death in 1900. With funds earned during his successful career as an artist he opened an art school and gallery in his home town of Feodosiya.
As of 2006, Aivazovsky's works have been auctioned for as much as $3,200,000, and his international reputation continues to grow. On June 14, 2007 his painting 'American Shipping off the Rock of Gibraltar' sold for 2 710 000 pounds, 'the highest price paid at auction for Aivazovsky'. He is also said to be the most forged of all Russian painters.

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Denomination: 100 Dram Year: 2006 Material: Silver Description: Commemorative coin 'Hovhannes Aivazovsky'. This coin is dedicated to Hovhannes Aivazovsky (1817 – 1900). Obverse: REPUBLICA OF ARMENIA. A fragment from the seascape 'Storm'. Below, to the right is an image of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia. There are inscriptions on English and Armenian REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA. Below it – denomination. Reverse: To the left there is the portrait of I. Aivazovsky, to the right – the fragment of his picture. The coin has been issued by the Central Bank of Armenia under the International Numismatic Program Painters of the World. 925 standard silver. Shape – rectangular. Quality – uncirculated. Weight – 28.28 + 0.25 g. Sizes: width – 40 mm, height – 28 mm. Edge – plain. Mintage: 5000 pcs. Designed by Robert Kotowicz Minted in the Mint of Poland. Country or town: Armenia

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