Bazaar

2 – 8 June 1868

Defense of the Samarkand Citadel

He received his baptism of fire, enduring with a handful of Russian soldiers the grueling siege of the Samarkand citadel; for his heroism in its defense he was awarded the Cross of St. George, 4th class.

early 1869

The Turkestan Exhibition

With Kaufman's assistance he organized a "Turkestan exhibition" in the capital, showing works painted in Tashkent, Samarkand, the Kazakh steppes, and Turkestan.

1873

Solo Exhibition at the Crystal Palace

He mounted a solo exhibition of his Turkestan works at the Crystal Palace in London.

spring 1874

St. Petersburg Exhibition and Accusations of Anti-Patriotism

An exhibition was held in St. Petersburg, after which Vereshchagin was accused of anti-patriotism and sympathy for the enemy; Emperor Alexander II "expressed his displeasure very sharply."

1877

Departure for the Russo-Turkish War

On learning of the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War, he immediately set off for the active army, leaving his studio in Paris; he was attached to the adjutants of the commander-in-chief of the Danube Army with the right to move freely among the troops.

1881

Series of Exhibitions in Europe

He began a series of exhibitions of his war paintings in Paris, continued in London, Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, and other cities; their sensational subjects and anti-war message drew a wide public.