"Give" (Deineka A.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The composition presents a stark visual narrative centered around industrial progress and collective endeavor. Dominating the upper portion is a towering construction crane, its skeletal frame rendered in sharp lines against a pale sky. Repeatedly emblazoned across this structure are bold Cyrillic characters – ДАЕШЬ (meaning “Long Live” or “Give”). This repetition serves as an immediate declaration of support and enthusiasm for something unspecified but clearly significant within the context of the image.
Below the crane, three figures stride purposefully forward. They appear to be workers, dressed in suits and a modest dress, suggesting a professional class engaged in purposeful action. Their posture conveys determination and confidence; they are not merely walking, but advancing towards an unseen goal. The artist positioned them slightly off-center, creating a dynamic sense of movement that draws the viewers eye into the scene.
To the right, a partially constructed building rises, its modern architectural style indicative of ambitious urban development. This structure reinforces the theme of progress and modernization, suggesting a future built on industry and collective effort. The unfinished state hints at ongoing labor and the promise of further advancement.
The lower portion contains text in Cyrillic script, which appears to be promotional material for a worker’s journal also titled ДАЕШЬ. A smaller inset advertisement details subscription information. This textual element firmly establishes the image as propaganda designed to garner support for a specific publication and, by extension, the ideals it represents.
The overall effect is one of optimistic fervor and collective purpose. The artist employed a limited color palette – primarily black, white, and red – which contributes to the poster’s starkness and visual impact. The strong vertical lines of the crane and building create a sense of upward momentum, symbolizing aspiration and progress. Subtly, the image conveys an ideology that equates industrial development with social advancement and collective strength, urging viewers to actively participate in this envisioned future through support for the workers journal.