Mayakovsky, Vladimir. (1893–1930). Rosta Windows - Original Photographs.
Group of three large format original photographs of propaganda posters by the Russian artist, as prepared for and apparently displayed at the lifetime exhibition of Mayakovsky's work ("20 years of Mayakovsky's work", 1930). Translated from the Russian, the captions read: "1. Comrades, do not succumb to panic, it usually turns a fly into an elephant [i.e. makes a mountain out of a molehill.] 2. Here is the consequence of that: 3. But be vigilant so that no elephant appears to be a fly. 4. Here is the consequence of that. 5. Without any panic, but not for naught either, quickly go to the front cold-bloodedly and soberly." Mounted to cardboard, 31 x 57 cm. Heavy edge wear and chips; toning; printed clippings to verso of first sheet, overall good. Each 22.5 x 13 inches (57 x 33.5 cm). From the collection of Russian philologist and dissident Victor Duvakin (1909-1982).
ROSTA (Russian Telegraph Agency) Windows were the first Soviet propaganda posters, published in the early days of the Russian Revolution by the Russian Telegraph Agency (Rossiiskoe Telegrafnoe Aganstvo, or ROSTA) between September 1919 and February 1922 under the supervision of Vladimir Mayakovsky. The posters dealt with political, military and economic themes and were displayed in the shop windows, train stations, and other public places of Moscow. Instead of being printed, they were hand-painted by some of the most prominent Russian avant-garde artists of the time, including Mikhail Cheremymkh, Dmitry Moor, Amshey Nurenberg and Alexander Rodchenko. Artistically the often satirical drawings were characterized by simplicity, expressiveness, and a limited, bright color palette.
"Windows" were produced during the Civil War and foreign military intervention, and then during the restoration of the national economy, reflecting the everyday political life of the country. The originals of the "windows" were drawn by the artists on small sheets of thick paper, each drawing separately, then the drawings of one "Window" were pasted onto a large sheet of newsprint in rows and under each figure the text was printed in large block letters. Stencil prints were made by young copyists on newsprint, cut into rectangles of the same format according to the number of poster designs. Impressions for the Moscow storefronts were glued together in large cloths, and for the offices in the field the poster drawings were rolled up and sent to other cities.
Mayakovsky, Vladimir. (1893–1930). Rosta Windows - Original Photographs.
Group of three large format original photographs of propaganda posters by the Russian artist, as prepared for and apparently displayed at the lifetime exhibition of Mayakovsky's work ("20 years of Mayakovsky's work", 1930). Translated from the Russian, the captions read: "1. Comrades, do not succumb to panic, it usually turns a fly into an elephant [i.e. makes a mountain out of a molehill.] 2. Here is the consequence of that: 3. But be vigilant so that no elephant appears to be a fly. 4. Here is the consequence of that. 5. Without any panic, but not for naught either, quickly go to the front cold-bloodedly and soberly." Mounted to cardboard, 31 x 57 cm. Heavy edge wear and chips; toning; printed clippings to verso of first sheet, overall good. Each 22.5 x 13 inches (57 x 33.5 cm). From the collection of Russian philologist and dissident Victor Duvakin (1909-1982).
ROSTA (Russian Telegraph Agency) Windows were the first Soviet propaganda posters, published in the early days of the Russian Revolution by the Russian Telegraph Agency (Rossiiskoe Telegrafnoe Aganstvo, or ROSTA) between September 1919 and February 1922 under the supervision of Vladimir Mayakovsky. The posters dealt with political, military and economic themes and were displayed in the shop windows, train stations, and other public places of Moscow. Instead of being printed, they were hand-painted by some of the most prominent Russian avant-garde artists of the time, including Mikhail Cheremymkh, Dmitry Moor, Amshey Nurenberg and Alexander Rodchenko. Artistically the often satirical drawings were characterized by simplicity, expressiveness, and a limited, bright color palette.
"Windows" were produced during the Civil War and foreign military intervention, and then during the restoration of the national economy, reflecting the everyday political life of the country. The originals of the "windows" were drawn by the artists on small sheets of thick paper, each drawing separately, then the drawings of one "Window" were pasted onto a large sheet of newsprint in rows and under each figure the text was printed in large block letters. Stencil prints were made by young copyists on newsprint, cut into rectangles of the same format according to the number of poster designs. Impressions for the Moscow storefronts were glued together in large cloths, and for the offices in the field the poster drawings were rolled up and sent to other cities.