Capital (Denis V.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This painting, titled Capital (Denis V.) and dated 1920, is a darkly satirical portrayal of capitalism. In the center, a portly, grotesque figure resembling a capitalist or financier is shown submerged up to his chest in a vast pile of gold coins. He is dressed in a formal suit, complete with a gold chain around his neck from which hangs a heart pendant. His face is round, with beady eyes and a smug, greedy expression. He wears a top hat, symbolizing his elevated status.
Behind him, the background is dominated by a sinister, web-like structure, suggesting a trap or a suffocating network from which there is no escape. In the distance, silhouetted against a yellow and orange sky, are factory chimneys emitting smoke, signifying industrial production and its connection to capital. The overall mood is one of oppressive wealth, greed, and exploitation.
The subtext of the painting is a strong critique of capitalism, likely from a Marxist or socialist perspective given the era and the imagery. The capitalist is depicted as a monstrous figure gorging himself on wealth (the gold coins), while the web symbolizes the way capitalism ensnares and controls society. The factories represent the source of this wealth, obtained through the labor of the working class, which is implicitly oppressed and trapped within this exploitative system. The poem below the image, written by Demyan Bedny, further reinforces this critique, speaking of the subjugation and misery caused by capital and the hope for a future liberation. The artist uses caricature and exaggerated features to dehumanize the capitalist and emphasize his avarice and detachment from the struggles of ordinary people.