Ilya Repin's Zaporozhian Cossacks is perhaps his…
1891 CE
The Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mehmed IV of Turkey, in full, depicts a supposedly historical tableau, set in 1676, and based on the legend of Cossacks sending a reply to an ultimatum of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed IV.
The original reply, if it ever existed, has not survived.
According to the story, the Zaporozhian Cossacks (from "beyond the rapids", Ukrainian: za porohamy), inhabiting the lands around the lower Dnieper River in Ukraine, had defeated Ottoman Empire forces in battle.
However, Mehmed demanded that the Cossacks submit to Ottoman rule.
The Cossacks, led by Ivan Sirko, replied in an uncharacteristic manner: they wrote a letter, replete with insults and profanities
The painting exhibits the Cossacks' pleasure at striving to come up with ever more base vulgarities.
During Repin's time, the Cossacks enjoy great popular sympathy.
Repin also admires them.
Alexander III buys the painting for thirty-five thousand rubles, at this time the greatest sum ever paid for a Russian painting.
The canvas has been exhibited ever since in the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg.
Images
Ilya Repin: The Zaporozhye Cossacks Replying to the Sultan (between 1878 and 1891); oil on canvas 217 cm (85.4 ″) x 361 cm (11.8 ft); Russian Museum
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Northeastern Eurasia
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