THOMASTON, MAINE — An oil on canvas seascape by Ivan Aivazovsky (Russian, 1817-1900) was the top lot in Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ three day “Splendor” sale August 27-29. Depicting a crew in a longboat escaping their foundering ship, “After the Storm” measured 29 by 40 inches in a gilt-gesso frame. It was considered a fine example of work by the artist, who trained at the St Petersburg Academy of the Arts and rose from poverty to be one of the wealthiest and most prolific artists of the Romantic Movement. It brought $169,650 against an estimate of $70/90,000 and was the highest price realized of the 1,442 lots that crossed the block. Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium.

A more extensive sale recap will feature in a future issue.