Every hammer blow is a blow to the enemy! (Denis V.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a vibrant and dynamic Soviet propaganda poster from 1920, titled Every Hammer Blow is a Blow to the Enemy! by Denis V.

What I see:

The poster depicts a powerful, muscular worker, silhouetted in red and black, forcefully swinging a large hammer down onto an anvil. The image is highly stylized with bold lines and stark contrasts. From the point of impact on the anvil, a forceful spray of red lines emanates, symbolizing the energy and impact of the blow.

This energy is directed towards the right side of the poster, where a caricature of an enemy figure is depicted. This figure is small, devilish, and grotesque, dressed in traditional, perhaps aristocratic or bourgeois, attire with a red coat adorned with decorative buttons and a sword. The enemy is recoiling in fear and pain, showering with bullets and shrapnel, visually representing the devastating effect of the workers action. Above the central action, large, bold Russian letters proclaim Every Hammer Blow is a Blow to the Enemy!. Below this, smaller text reads Proletarians of all countries, unite!.

The subtexts:

• The Power of the Working Class: The central figure of the worker represents the proletariat, depicted as strong, industrious, and capable of inflicting damage. The act of hammering on the anvil is a direct metaphor for labor and production, suggesting that the very act of producing and working for the Soviet cause is an act of defiance and attack against its enemies.
• The Enemy as a Symbol of Oppression: The caricatured enemy figure embodies the forces that the revolution sought to overthrow – be it the old regime, capitalists, or external threats to the Soviet state. Its grotesque appearance and fearful reaction emphasize its weakness and undeserved privilege, contrasting sharply with the workers strength and purpose.
• Revolutionary Zeal and Action: The dynamic composition, the flying bullets, and the energetic red lines all convey a sense of urgency and intense activity. This reinforces the idea that the revolution is active, ongoing, and requires constant effort and struggle. The phrase Every hammer blow implies a continuous and relentless effort is needed.
• Unity and Solidarity: The slogan Proletarians of all countries, unite! is a classic communist call to action, extending the struggle beyond national borders and emphasizing international worker solidarity. It suggests that the fight against the enemy is a global one, and unified action is crucial for victory.
• Transformation and Creation: The anvil and hammer are traditional symbols of creation and industry. In this context, the poster suggests that while the immediate outcome is destruction of the enemy, the underlying act is one of building a new society, forged through the labor of the working class. The hammer blow is thus seen as a tool of both destruction and creation in the revolutionary process.