Stalin poster of the week 95 (SPotW95)

Unidentified artist, led by Stalin – forward!, 1942

Unidentified artist, led by Stalin – forward!(Во главе со Сталиным – вперед!), 1942

In 1942, as the USSR struggled against the German invasion during the Great Patriotic war, Goskinoizdat  (Госкиноиздат: Государственное издательство кинематографической литературы – The State Publishing House of Cinematographic Literature) published a poster by an unidentified artist in an edition of 10,000 on cheap, flimsy paper.


Perhaps this poster was part of the general mobilisation of the arts community behind the war effort.

An implacable Stalin inspires the nation with his heroic leadership in the dark early days of the Great Patriotic War

In this poster, the bust of Stalin occupies a motionless centre ground around which war preparations take place. Defenders of the USSR sprout from Stalin’s chest, and include nurses and partisans, as well as personnel of the armed forces. They stand on guard, with weapons raised and at the ready.

The whole nation has been mobilised in defence of the USSR

In the background is evidence of Soviet industrialisation, and row upon row of tanks. To the left a tank is ready to fire, while to the right banners fly.

Years of fast-paced industrialisation under Stalin have modernised the USSR, preparing it for the inevitability of world war.

The only touch of colour in the black-and-white photomontage poster are the two banners at the top, displaying the red star and the hammer and sickle, and the text box at the base.

The text reads ‘Led by Stalin – forward!’ and the implication is that the forces of the USSR are united in an impenetrable front, the foundation of which is Stalin himself.