3-068-492 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Surrender of Mikhail Shein to King Ladislaus IV Vasa in 1634 at Smolensk, between 1634-1659. Additional Info: Ladislaus IV Vasa (1595-1648) was a ruler reigning during troubling times in the Commonwealth. In 1621, still as a prince, he was sent alongside Hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz to Chocim at the Dniester River to stop the expansion of Turkey. The campaign was a success, and Wladyslaw gained military fame. Immediately after he took the throne in 1632, another war broke out, this time with Russia. The Russians started their offensive operations before the expiration of the Truce of Deulino and besieged Smolensk, which belonged to Poland. Mikhail Borisovich Shein led the siege. In 1609, for almost two years had defended this city against the Poles. In the summer of 1633, the Polish army commanded by Wladyslaw IV came to relieve Smolensk. The Poles forced the Russians to withdraw from the city walls and to close themselves in their camp, which finally capitulated on 25 February 1634. The painting shows that moment of triumph.