Ukrainians and Russian call alone – yes there will be no pan over the working gentleman! (Mayakovsky V.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a Soviet-era propaganda poster designed by Vladimir Mayakovsky in 1920. The title, in bold red letters at the top, reads Ukrainians and Russians have one call. Below this, also in bold red letters, is the slogan There will be no lord over the working gentleman!
The artwork itself is stylized and uses bold, blocky shapes and strong colors, characteristic of Russian Constructivism. In the center, two red silhouetted figures, representing Ukrainians and Russians, stand with rifles raised, pointing upwards. They appear to be united in their struggle. Above them, a chaotic and menacing black shape is depicted, possibly symbolizing an oppressor or a threat. This shape has fiery elements and what looks like a grotesque, stylized face with wide, staring eyes. A black top hat with a feather adorns the head of this threatening figure, further emphasizing its caricature-like nature. The background is a vibrant yellow, with swirling clouds that add to the dynamic and conflict-ridden atmosphere.
The posters subtext is a powerful call for unity between Ukrainians and Russians against a common enemy, likely referring to counter-revolutionary forces or foreign intervention during the Russian Civil War. The slogan There will be no lord over the working gentleman! explicitly rejects any form of social hierarchy or subjugation, advocating for the empowerment of the working class. The imagery of unified figures and the defeated, monstrous oppressor reinforces the message of solidarity and revolutionary triumph. The ROSTA stamp indicates it was produced by the Russian Telegraph Agency (ROSTA), which widely disseminated political posters across the nascent Soviet Union.