Collective farmers and individual farmers! We will give bread to the state on the obligation in full and on time! (Govorkov V.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The artwork presents a forceful visual statement concerning agricultural production and state obligation during a period of significant social and economic transformation. Here we see a muscular male figure dominating the composition; he carries an enormous sack over his shoulders, its size exaggerated to emphasize both the burden and the abundance it represents. The man’s posture is rigid, conveying determination rather than ease, while his gaze is directed forward with unwavering intensity. He wears simple work clothes – a white shirt and cap – suggesting a common laborer, yet his physique implies strength and resilience.
The background is densely populated with other figures engaged in agricultural labor. A group of people are visible harvesting grain, while others appear to be loading produce onto trucks. The depiction of these secondary figures is less detailed than the central figure, serving to underscore his importance as a symbol of collective effort. A stylized representation of harvested wheat stacks and vehicles further reinforces the theme of abundance and logistical organization.
The text at the bottom of the artwork provides explicit context: We will give bread to the state on the obligation in full and on time! The typography is bold and assertive, mirroring the visual power of the central figure. The phrase itself reveals a system demanding adherence to quotas and prioritizing state needs above individual autonomy.
Subtly, the painting conveys an underlying tension. While ostensibly celebrating collective achievement, the sheer size of the sack and the man’s strained posture hint at the potential for hardship and coercion. The uniformity of the figures suggests a suppression of individuality in favor of a unified, state-directed purpose. The artwork functions not merely as a depiction of agricultural labor but as a piece of propaganda designed to inspire compliance and reinforce the authority of the governing body. It is an image intended to instill a sense of duty and responsibility within the populace, while simultaneously masking any potential dissent or resistance.