Aivazovsky’s “The Ninth Wave” to undergo full restoration for the first time

“The Ninth Wave,” the celebrated painting by outstanding Armenian marine artist Hovhannes Aivazovsky held at the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, is to be sent for a full restoration for the first time.

In 176 years, “The Ninth Wave” has never been restored in its entirety, only partially consolidated in fragments. As a result, the condition of the ground layer and paint layer continues to deteriorate.

The decision to restore the painting was made ahead of a major Aivazovsky exhibition set to open in the Benois Wing of the St. Petersburg museum in October 2026. The restoration work is expected to take four months.

“The Ninth Wave” is one of the artist’s most celebrated paintings, completed in 1850. This monumental canvas, measuring 221×332 cm, glorifies the strength of the human spirit in the face of a devastating natural force.