Splendidly and desperately do we fight — the issue of Suvorov and Chapayev do it all right! 1941

Curator: This is the 1941 poster “Splendidly and desperately do we fight — the issue of Suvorov and Chapayev do it all right!” created by the collective known as Kukryniksy. Editor: The dynamism leaps out—all diagonal lines and forward thrust. It's incredibly urgent. The palette, limited to stark red and black, really amplifies the emotional impact, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. The bold colors and direct imagery evoke an immediate sense of patriotic duty and connection to past heroes. Note how the figures of Suvorov and Chapayev, iconic military leaders, loom above the modern soldiers. Editor: Yes, those figures rendered in almost spectral red, contrasted against the black background, seem less corporeal, more like guiding spirits. It's clever the way they are both leading and observing, acting almost as visual talismans of Russian military prowess. The rhythmic alignment of the soldiers below and the tank's solid form provide a counterpoint to their ethereality. Curator: The layering is key. They are purposefully conjuring cultural memory— linking historical victories to the current struggle against the invading forces. Suvorov, the 18th-century general, symbolizes Tsarist-era military glory. Then, there’s Chapayev, the hero of the Russian Revolution. They serve to embolden and to assure a positive outcome against the Fascists, but there is no real hope without modern artillery to move forward! Editor: What I find really striking is the simplification of form. Everything is reduced to its most essential elements – shapes, colors, and lines working in concert to deliver an unmediated message. You can practically feel the relentless drive encoded in the vector of their combined, focused action. Curator: Yes, there’s little subtlety here. The visual language is purposefully strident and easily readable, fitting its function as a wartime call to arms. Even the composition screams forward. Note also the historical resonance in the slogan. It links the soldiers and heroes that fought through every war from the Mongol invasion. Editor: The economy of means here is remarkable, considering the complex message being communicated. It’s not just about visual representation but rather about directly activating the viewer—an exemplary example of pure agitprop aesthetic. Curator: In summary, we’re seeing a potent combination of symbolism, history, and visual strategy designed to fortify national spirit during a moment of crisis. Editor: An arresting testament to art deployed as a weapon, for better or worse—powerful imagery regardless.