The artwork “By the Fortress Wall. ‘Let Them Enter'”, created by Vasily Vereshchagin in 1871, is an oil painting on canvas embodying the Realism art movement. Measuring 96 x 162.2 cm, it is categorized under the genre of battle painting and is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
This impressive piece of art vividly depicts a scene of soldiers poised in formation along the protective perimeter of a fortress. The soldiers, attired in white uniforms with their bayonets fixed to their rifles, exhibit a readiness for combat. The backdrop features the imposing fortress walls, extending high and rugged, casting shadows over the lined soldiers. Through the careful detailing and the bright daylight illuminating the scene, Vereshchagin masterfully captures the tension and anticipation of the moment. The composition, characterized by its meticulous attention to detail, brings a palpable sense of realism to the historical and strategic setting.
