What Crackle, What Thunder. by Malevich, Kazimir Severinovich, 1878-1935 Artist.

Malevich, Kazimir Severinovich, 1878-1935 Artist.

1914-01-01

photo, print, drawing

Library of Congress

This World War I propaganda poster by Kazimir Malevich refers to a battle near Lomza (present-day Poland), where despite initial success, the Russians suffered heavy losses. A heroic Russian peasant figure slashing German soldiers with his scythe dominates the view. His traditional dress and lapti (woven bark shoes) seem to epitomize Russia's strength and invincibility. German soldiers are running away or lie dead. Under the picture is a verse by Vladimir Mayakovsky that reads: "What crackle, what thunder there was from the Germans at Lomza!" In the early stages of the war, a number of Russian avant-garde artists, including Malevich