Hovhannes Aivazovsky (1817-1900) is a world-renown marine artist, a classis of the Armenian and Russian art.

Aivazovsky studied at the parish school of Theodosia. He continued studying at the Simferopol Russian Gymnasium and later at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. In Russia in 1844, Aivazovsky was awarded the title of Academician of the Academy of Fine Arts; then he was appointed the main painter of the Chief Naval Staff. In France in 1857, he was awarded the Legion of Honor.

Aivazovsky travelled to many countries and presented his paintings at exhibitions. World fame came to him for his seascapes. He also created dozens of paintings in the Armenian thematic, which are permeated with deep patriotism and humanism.

Aivazovsky was active in organizing charities, including providing shelter and material assistance to Armenian refugees who fled to the Crimea from the 1890s massacres in Western Armenia. He supported the Greeks, the Italians in their combat for national liberation. In Theodosia, his place of birth, Aivazovsky opened the School of Fine Arts, which now carries his name, contributed to the construction of an archaeological museum, a library, a concert hall there.

Prominent museums of the world are home to around 6000 pieces of works created by Aivazovsky. A large collection of his paintings is kept in the Hovhannes Aivazovsky Gallery in Theodosia. The National Gallery of Armenia is also rich with the collection of Aivazovsky’s works.