Cutting Iron. 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. The image here depicts a worker manually cutting a sheet of iron. With minimal lines, details, and colors the artist creates a distinct and positive image of a factory worker, the iron easily yielding to his strength. During the Civil War, the Russian Telegraph Agency (ROSTA) produced many posters that were used to communicate government messages and promote the