Ukrainian Kozaky/Cossacks by Repin Playing Cards

"Ukrainian Kozaky Writing a Mocking Letter to the Turkish Sultan” by Repin, at the Ukrainian Kharkiv Art Museum In 1675 the Turkish Sultan Mohammed IV sent the Zaporozhye Kozaks a threatening, haughty ultimatum, ordering them to surrender immediately or to be slaughtered. Led by by Ataman Ivan Serko, the Kozachky wrote back a with great humor and scorn, “We do not fear your troops, we will fight you with this earth and water.". Artist Repin heard about the incident in 1878 and won over by these courageous, jovial, freedom loving people, he completed the first sketch of what over thirteen years would evolve into this unforgettable picture. Repin studied their history to capture the bold, freedom and fun loving character of these people.