Ivan Aivazovsky (1817–1900) was a Russian Romantic painter of Armenian descent who remains the undisputed master of marine art. Trained at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, he gained early acclaim and the patronage of the Russian Navy, eventually becoming the official painter of the Navy. Belonging to the Romanticism period, his work is characterized by a "sublime" portrayal of nature, featuring translucent waves, dramatic lighting, and the epic struggle between man and the sea—most famously seen in his masterpiece The Ninth Wave. Aivazovsky’s unique ability to paint the movement of water from memory allows his designs to translate into breathtaking cross stitch projects. Stitching an Aivazovsky piece is a journey through shimmering light and deep emotional depths, offering a sense of awe and tranquility as you recreate the spray of the ocean and the glow of a coastal sunset. Whether you are working from a printed chart or a full kit, these designs offer a sophisticated challenge that results in a true needlework masterpiece.