Hovhannes Aivazovsky and Anna Burnazyan

The photograph shows the world-famous painter Hovhannes Aivazovsky with his second wife, Anna Burnazyan. Aivazovsky was born in 1817 and is considered one of the most famous marine painters in the world. He created thousands of paintings, most of them devoted to the sea and ships.

Anna Burnazyan was an Armenian woman who became an important companion in the great painter’s life. Aivazovsky lived and worked mainly in the town of Feodosia, where his house-museum is located.

In this studio portrait Aivazovsky is seated in a suit, while the young woman, in a long dark dress, stands beside him with her hand resting on his shoulder.