Ninth wave. Ivan Aivazovsky. The State Russian Museum

According to sailors and fishermen's legends, the 9th wave is the highest and most dangerous wave in a storm. In the Russian language, the phrase is synonymous to danger and the highest peak. It is this very moment that is depicted in one of Ivan Ivozovsky's most famous pictures. In the 1840s, the artist traveled extensively across Europe. His ship was caught in a tremendous storm in the Bay of Biscay in the autumn of 1844. European newspapers believed he was dead, but luckily, he survived. It was probably then that the artist saw the real 9th wave with his own eyes. The picture 9th wave was painted in Feodosia in 1850 in the master's studio. The artist always painted from memory, only making rough sketches in the out-of-doors. He believed that the elements could not be painted from nature due to their constant movement and change. Despite its grand dimensions, 2 by 3 meters, it took Ivazovsky only 11 days to complete the picture. Its subject is characteristic of the Romantics. The vessel is completely destroyed in a storm, with only the mast remaining, and 6 sailors are clinging to it for their life. The storm rages on, and a monstrous wave is rising. But morning has come, the sun is rising, and its warm bright light gives hope for salvation. The bright colors are not quite realistic, displaying the features of Romantics in Ivazovsky's art. The picture became part of the first collection of the Russian Museum and a business card of sorts for Ivazovsky. 9th wave was depicted on stamps and postcards. The commemorative silver coins with the author against the background of the famous painting were minted for the 200th anniversary of his birth.