The story of the artist for whom the sea became the main motif is revealed through rare watercolors and archival materials. The exhibition traces the master's path from service in the Ministry of the Navy to creativity in emigration. The exhibition project is dedicated to Alexei Vasilievich Gansen - a marine painter whose name is associated with the artistic chronicle of the Russian fleet. He was called the official painter of the Ministry of the Navy, and his familial connection with Ivan Aivazovsky set high expectations. Nevertheless, the artist built his own intonation - restrained, precise, based on a transparent watercolor technique. The main theme of his works is the sea in all its states: from calm surfaces to tense pre-storm skies. Ships are shown not as decorative elements, but as active characters in history. The compositions reflect attention to the construction of the vessel, the texture of the water, and the play of light on the sails and metal details. The exhibition features works from the collections of leading museums and cultural institutions. Some of the works returned to Russia in the 21st century: after the events of 1917, the artist lived abroad, continuing to create marine landscapes and genre scenes far from his homeland. A separate section is dedicated to the 1916 album "Russian Imperial Navy" with twenty-five watercolor sheets. The display is complemented by paintings that document the combat activities of the fleet during World War I, created on commission from the Ministry of the Navy. Where to go in St. Petersburg can be found on our website.