In Defeated Moscow (Arsonists or shooting in the Kremlin). 1897-1898 Vasily Vereshchagin (1842-1904)

The painting In Defeated Moscow (Arsonists or shooting in the Kremlin) by Vasily Vereshchagin depicts a chaotic and horrifying scene of violence. The foreground is littered with the bodies of civilians, some lying in pools of their own blood, suggesting a brutal massacre. The bodies are piled on top of each other, with discarded hats and other personal belongings scattered amidst the carnage, emphasizing the suddenness and brutality of the event.
In the middle ground, a group of civilians, some in traditional Russian attire, stand in what appears to be distress or surrender, caught between the fallen and the executioners. Behind them, a grand architectural structure, likely the Kremlin with its distinctive domes and religious iconography visible, serves as a grim backdrop.
The right side of the painting is dominated by a line of soldiers in dark blue uniforms with red accents and tall, plumed hats, reminiscent of Napoleonic-era troops. They are aimed their muskets forward in a firing line, their faces obscured or impassive, indicating their role as the instigators of the violence. Smoke billows across the scene, obscuring details and adding to the atmosphere of terror and destruction.
The subtext of the painting is a powerful indictment of war and its devastating impact on innocent lives. Vereshchagin, known for his anti-war sentiments, uses this scene to highlight the cruelty and senselessness of conflict, particularly during the French invasion of Russia in 1812. The contrast between the uniformed soldiers, acting as agents of ordered violence, and the disarrayed, vulnerable civilians emphasizes the imbalance of power and the tragic consequences of military action. The presence of religious symbols within the ostensibly sacred space of the Kremlin being violated by violence adds a layer of sacrilege and tragedy, questioning the justifications for such brutality even in times of war. The title itself, Arsonists or shooting, presents an ambiguous but equally damning scenario, suggesting either deliberate destruction or merciless execution of civilians.