The Capitulation of Kars

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The Capitulation of Kars
Thomas Jones Barker The Capitulation of Kars 1855.jpg
Artist Thomas Jones Barker
Year1860
Type Oil on canvas, history painting
Dimensions252 cm× 440 cm(99 in× 170 in)
Location National Army Museum, Chelsea

The Capitulation of Kars is an 1860 history painting by the British artist Thomas Jones Barker. It displays an incident from the Siege of Kars during Crimean War. On 28 November 1855 the garrison of the Kars in northeastern Anatolia surrendered. [1] [2]

In June 1855 the fortress had come under attac from a Russian Army of 25,000 men.Colonel Fenwick Williams, Britain's military commissioner to the Ottoman Empire took over command of the Turkish garrison, leading them in a lengthy resistance before surrendering being compelled to surrender through the outbreak of cholera, shortage of supplies and ammunition. in recognition of their gallant conduct the garrison were permitted to merch out with the honours of war. [3]

After a period of captivity, William and his staff officers returned as heroes to Britain. The painting is now in the collection of the National Army Museum in Chelsea, having been acquired in 1963. [4]

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