Alexander Pershakov. Portrait of Vice Admiral Vladimir Kornilov

Vladimir Alekseyevich Kornilov (1806–1854) was one of the leaders of the defence of Sevastopol in the Crimean War. The artist Alexander Fyodorovich Pershakov painted him in oil on canvas seated on the earthen rampart of a fortification: behind the admiral are a heavy gun and wicker gabions, a telescope lies on the left, and his dark uniform bears gold epaulettes, an aiguillette and orders.

As a midshipman Kornilov took part in the Battle of Navarino in 1827. In 1850 he was confirmed as chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet, and after the death of Admiral Mikhail Lazarev in 1851 he effectively led the fleet; in 1852 he became a vice admiral. In November 1853 the paddle frigate "Vladimir", flying his flag, forced the Turkish steamer "Pervaz-Bahri" to strike her colours after a three-hour fight. In the autumn of 1854 Kornilov opposed scuttling ships at the entrance to Sevastopol Bay and proposed putting to sea to attack the enemy; he then organised the defence of the city. On 5 (17) October 1854 he was killed on the Malakhov Kurgan during the first bombardment of Sevastopol and was buried in St Vladimir's Cathedral, in the same crypt as Lazarev.