One Must Work, the Rifle Is Right Here. by Lebedev, Vladimir Vasilʹevich, 1891-1967 Artist.

Lebedev, Vladimir Vasilʹevich, 1891-1967 Artist.

1920-01-01

photo, print, drawing

Library of Congress

This propaganda poster from the Russian Civil War of 1919--21 is by Vladimir Lebedev, a prolific Russian painter, book illustrator, and poster and set designer. Lebedev's compositions are distinguished by simple blocks of color and figures broken down into geometric shapes. This poster depicts a worker holding a saw with a rifle nearby, thus conveying, with minimal line and color, the image of a worker also ready to fight. During the Civil War, the Russian Telegraph Agency (ROSTA) produced many posters that were used to communicate government messages and promote the solidarity of the working class. In the early part of the war, mil