Remember when you're drinking – your family is hungry (unknown artist) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The composition presents a stark visual narrative framed by a red border and punctuated with bold typography. A central female figure dominates the scene; she is draped in pale yellow fabric that obscures her form while simultaneously revealing a skeletal visage beneath the cloth. Her arms are extended, one reaching towards a table laden with a single glass of alcohol, the other seemingly offering or shielding a small child clinging to her leg. The child’s attire suggests poverty and vulnerability.
The setting is sparse: a simple wooden table holds the alcoholic beverage, while a chair stands nearby. The starkness of these objects amplifies the sense of deprivation and hardship conveyed by the figures. A geometric pattern, reminiscent of Constructivist design, occupies the right side of the composition, visually separating the narrative from the text that appears below.
The artist employed a limited color palette – primarily yellow, red, and black – to heighten the emotional impact. The bright yellow of the woman’s garment contrasts sharply with the somber tones of her face and the childs clothing, drawing attention to the unsettling juxtaposition of indulgence and suffering. The red border serves as an immediate visual cue, signaling a message of urgency or warning.
The subtext is readily apparent: it speaks to the consequences of personal excess on familial well-being. The skeletal depiction of the woman’s face suggests the long-term effects of hardship and potentially substance abuse. The childs desperate grip on her leg underscores dependency and vulnerability, while the presence of alcohol symbolizes a source of temporary solace that ultimately contributes to their plight. The text reinforces this message directly, linking personal consumption with familial hunger.
The overall effect is one of social commentary, likely intended to provoke reflection on responsibility and the impact of individual choices within a broader societal context.