Capture of Berlin on 28 September 1760

The composition captures the moment when Prussian forces surrendered Berlin to the invading army on 28 September 1760. By focusing on the troops, flags, and the city’s architecture, Kotzebue emphasizes the vulnerability of a capital under siege and reflects on the broader consequences of the war for Central Europe.

Rendered in oil on canvas, the work displays the detailed realism characteristic of Kotzebue’s approach. Precise brushwork delineates uniforms, weaponry, and architectural elements, while a muted palette conveys the somber atmosphere of a conquered city. The painting’s careful modeling and spatial depth align it with the Realist tradition that valued faithful representation.

Created in 1849, more than eighty years after the event it depicts, the canvas reflects the nineteenth‑century fascination with historic battle scenes. After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European art holdings.

The Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) reshaped the balance of power in Europe, and the capture of Berlin marked a rare incursion into Prussian territory. Kotzebue, a German Romantic known for military subjects, chose this episode to illustrate the fragility of even the most fortified states, a theme resonant with contemporary audiences aware of shifting political fortunes.