Museum complex

THE STORM OF PEREKOP BY RUSSIAN TROOPS ON 14 JUNE 1771

Unknown artist
1791
Canvas, oil paints
180 х 179 cm
Receipt: from the State Tretyakov Gallery in 1925
Open storage

This painting depicts the battle of June 14, 1771, in which the 2nd Russian army under command of Prince Vasily M.Dolgorukov stormed the Perekop fortified line (eight-kilometer moat, stretching from Black to Azov Sea and the earthen rampart) and captured Crimea. As a result of it Saib Girey was made a Khan of Crimea. Khan Saib Girey was a supporter of Russia. Dolgorukov on behalf of the Russian Empire entered into an Alliance with him. The Crimean Khanate lost Turkish protectorate and in 1783 was appended to Russia.
There are two large paired paintings in the Historical Museum: "The Plan of an attack on the Ora fortress (Perekop) from the bird's flight” and “The Plan of an attack on the fortress Kafa (Feodosia) from the bird's flight". Both come from a country estate of Prince Dolgorukov Volynshchina located in the vicinity of Moscow. During recent restoration on the second of them was discovered the date put by an author – 1791. This date indicates that paintings were made to the memorable date – the twentieth anniversary of capture of those two key Crimean fortresses by Russian troops led by Prince Vasily M.Dolgorukov-Crimean (1722–1782). Apparently, they were made by the serf artist who inasmuch as possible tried to reflect the topography of the location, placement of troops and fortifications.

More information...

Victories in Crimea played vital role in the military career of Prince Vasily M.Dolgorukov. During the Russo-Turkish war of 1735–1739, at the age of fourteen, he distinguished himself in capture of the Perekop fortress (1736). Field-Marshal Minich declared that the first able to climb the fortress’ walls alive shall be promoted to an officer rank. The first was young Vasily Dolgorukov, who received the rank of a Lieutenant regardless of the fact that his family under reign of Anna Ivanovna was in disgrace.
During the Russo-Turkish war of 1768–1774 in the summer of 1771, the General-en-Chef Prince Vasily M.Dolgorukov defeated the army of Khan Selim III Girey and seized the Perekop line, soon he won the second victory at Cafa; forced the Khan to flee to Istanbul and put in his place a supporter of Russia Khan Saib II Girey. The Crimean Khanate was declared a state independent from the Ottoman Empire under protectorate of Russia. For these victories, Vasily M.Dolgorukov was awarded with the order of St.George of 1st class, and in 1775, on the day of the solemn celebration of peace with Turkey received from the Empress sword with diamonds, diamonds to the order of St.Andrew and the adding to his name – the Crimean.

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