A painting by Russian seascape master Ivan Aivazovsky sold for $1.35 million on Wednesday at Sotheby`s spring sale of Russian Art in New York, the auction house said.

The auction`s top lot, entitled Columbus Sailing from Palos, by the Russian 19th century artist, was earlier given a price guide of $1-1.5 million.

Aivazovsky (1817 - 1900) created the work portraying Christopher Columbus` departure from Palos, Spain, to mark the 400-year anniversary of his voyage to America. The painting was among works represented by the artist at the World`s Fair in Chicago in 1893.

"Aivazovsky`s stunning portrayal of Columbus` departure from Palos, Spain, on August 2, 1492, is among the finest of such compositions to ever appear at auction," Sotheby`s said in a press release.

The painting comes from the private collection of Joseph Davies, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union.

A series of Russian Art auctions held by Sotheby`s in November in London yielded a total of 25.2 million pounds ($36.9 mln), well below pre-sale estimates, signaling a downturn in the recently booming Russian art market.
sections: Culture