BAL209450 Capture of Azov, 18th May 1696 (oil on canvas) by Porter, Robert Kerr (1777-1842); 249x213 cm; Central Naval Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; (add.info.: Russian capture of the Azov Sea from the Crimean Tatar Vassals of Turkey; Peter the Great (1672-1725) is seen personally leading his galley fleet during the capture of the Ottoman held fortress port of Azov in 1696. Realised that Russia needed a navy and so embarked on a massive shipbuilding programme. Robert Ker Porter was an English artist, author, diplomat and traveller known for accounts of his travels - esp in Russia); English, out of copyright.