Sketch poster. Pillory. 1914-1917 Sergey Sergeyevich Solomko (1867-1928)

The drawing presents a stark and accusatory scene centered around a pillory. Two figures, clearly representing military personnel – one in what appears to be Austrian or Hungarian uniform, the other in German – stand flanking the wooden structure. Both are depicted with exaggerated, almost grotesque facial features, suggesting mockery and dehumanization rather than respect or fear. They hold weapons: a saber for the figure on the left, a rifle for the one on the right, both held with an air of smugness.
Beneath the pillory lies a chaotic pile of debris – broken books, scattered papers, what appears to be medical supplies marked with a cross, and fragments of human remains. This accumulation signifies destruction, loss of knowledge, and the brutal cost of conflict. The background is blurred but suggests a landscape ravaged by war: smoke rises in the distance, hinting at ongoing battles and devastation.
Above the figures, a banner displays text that appears to be a condemnation – a series of accusations like holiness, graverobbing, murder, barbarity, deceit, and hypocrisy. The language is charged with moral outrage, directly challenging the perceived righteousness or justification for the actions being depicted.
The composition employs strong vertical lines created by the pillory and the figures’ postures, emphasizing their dominance over the scene of ruin below. The use of grayscale contributes to a somber and serious tone, devoid of any celebratory or heroic elements. The overall effect is one of profound disillusionment and condemnation of military authority and the violence it perpetuates. Its not merely an illustration of conflict; it’s a pointed critique of those who initiate and conduct it, questioning their motives and exposing the human cost behind official narratives.