The trade unions of the USSR are the advanced detachment of the world working-class movement. (Koretsky V., Gitsevich V.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The composition presents a layered visual narrative centered on themes of labor, progress, and international solidarity within a Soviet ideological framework. A bold red diagonal stripe dominates the central space, acting as both a compositional device and a symbolic marker of revolutionary advancement. This stripe bears the inscription Trade Unions of the USSR – The Vanguard Detachment of the World Working-Class Movement, establishing the paintings explicit message.
The upper left quadrant depicts a densely packed crowd, presumably workers or demonstrators, rendered in grayscale with a dynamic sense of movement. Their raised arms and forward lean suggest collective action and fervor. This scene is positioned above a series of individual portraits arranged along the red diagonal. These figures, predominantly male but including one woman, are portrayed as idealized representations of Soviet labor – a mix of factory workers, intellectuals (indicated by the presence of a man in glasses), and military personnel. Their gazes are directed towards an unseen future, conveying determination and confidence. The artist employed strong contrasts between light and shadow to emphasize their features and project an aura of strength and resolve.
Below the portraits, a panoramic view unfolds, showcasing industrial progress. A cityscape filled with factories, cranes, and construction sites stretches across the lower portion of the image. This depiction reinforces the narrative of Soviet modernization and technological advancement. The grayscale palette used for this scene contrasts with the vibrant red of the central stripe, further highlighting the connection between the individual workers and the collective project of industrialization.
The painting’s subtexts are deeply embedded in its propagandistic purpose. It aims to legitimize the role of trade unions as essential instruments of Soviet power and to portray them as leading a global movement for worker liberation. The idealized portrayal of individuals, coupled with the depiction of rapid industrial growth, serves to create an image of a strong, unified, and progressive nation. The inclusion of diverse figures suggests inclusivity within the working class, although the hierarchical arrangement along the diagonal implies a leadership structure embodied by those closest to the inscription. Ultimately, this work functions as a visual manifesto, designed to inspire loyalty, promote collective action, and reinforce the Soviet Union’s self-image as a beacon of progress for the worlds workers.