Rally of children. (Komarov A.)

This is a striking Soviet propaganda poster from 1923 by A. Komarov, titled Rally of Children. The artwork depicts a crowd of babies and toddlers, some with raised fists and open mouths as if shouting, holding aloft banners. The babies are rendered with a certain intensity, their expressions ranging from determined to slightly bewildered.
The banners they carry express a series of demands. One large red banner prominently states WE DEMAND! in bold black letters. Other banners list specific grievances: Protection of mothers, Dry, clean diapers, Clean air and light, and Healthy parents. Theres also a banner that humorously (and perhaps pointedly) states A midwife, not a wet nurse. The overall scene is chaotic yet organized, with the children forming a unified front.
The subtext of this poster is multi-layered. Firstly, its a powerful statement about the importance of children and their well-being within Soviet society. By having babies protest, the artist underscores the fundamental nature of their needs and demands. The demands themselves are directly related to public health and childcare in the post-revolutionary era, a time when the Soviet government was heavily invested in improving the lives of its citizens, particularly mothers and children. The call for healthy parents also subtly hints at the states aspirations for a strong and healthy new generation, free from the perceived deficiencies of the pre-revolutionary past. The poster likely served to highlight the governments initiatives in maternal and child welfare, urging the public to recognize these as crucial societal issues. The imagery further suggests a desire to modernize childcare practices, moving away from what might have been seen as outdated or insufficient methods.