Aivazovsky's 1889 Mediterranean Seascape to Lead Bonhams Old Masters Sale in Paris

An 1889 oil painting by Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, titled 'View of Capri,' will be auctioned at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris on 21 April 2026. The work, depicting the Mediterranean horizon, carries an estimate of €250,000–350,000. Daria Khristova, Director of the Russian department at Bonhams, notes Aivazovsky's childhood by the sea shaped his artistic focus, establishing him as the first Russian marine painter and a pre-eminent European master of seascapes. The sale, part of an Old Master Paintings auction, also includes works by Henry Scheffer, Ary Scheffer, and a portrait by Largillière from a European collection. Aivazovsky, born in Feodosia in 1817 and died in 1900, is celebrated for his maritime subjects. The painting's serene depiction of clear waters and gentle ripples highlights his technical skill. This rare offering underscores his lasting significance in art history.