In St. Petersburg Museum of Printing an exhibition “August 14 th”, devoted to the 95 th anniversary of the First World War. The exhibition presents Russian posters, military-patriotic popular prints, post-welfare stamps and photos

In St. Petersburg Museum of Printing (Fontanka River Embankment, 32) opened the exhibition «August 14 th», devoted to the 95 th anniversary of the First World War. The exhibition presents Russian posters, military-patriotic popular prints, postal stamps and charitable 1914-17 period photographs from the State Museum of St. Petersburg.

Beginning of the First World War in Russia, it was observed universally patriotic enthusiasm. Many regarded this war with Germany and its allies as revenge for the failure in 1905 in the Far East. The first few days after the declaration of war were marked by massive patriotic demonstrations in many cities of Russia empire.

Traditional means of promoting patriotism in the masses were popular prints. In the period from 1914 to 1917 in this genre worked I.Ja.Bilibin , AV Lentulov , Kazimir Malevich , VV Mayakovsky and others. Visitors can also see two works by Malevich «The defeat of the Germans near Paris» and «Look, look, really close to the Vistula, the Germans puchit, then sour» (both - 1914).

People splint was the predecessor of campaign posters. The first signs appeared already in 1914, they retain the bast style.

Migrating from lubok a poster campaign in publications beginning of the war period took place under the influence of events at the front and emerging socio-political crisis in the rear. Early successes gave way to defeat the Russian army and failures. By the end of August 1914 revealed shortcomings in the supply of the Field Army. By the beginning of the winter campaign in 1916 Russian Army was a catastrophic shortage of ammunition and food, while in the rear of the crowd huge numbers of refugees. This is a consequence of an acute shortage of financial and economic catastrophe that hit the economy in Russia Empire. Events demanded new forms of agitation by means of art, one of the means was emphasized realistic images of war posters.

The main theme of war posters were defined at the beginning of the war. One of them - the glorification of heroism Russian soldier. Similar posters, made by unknown artists, can be seen at the exhibition: «heroic feat of non-commissioned officer Habakkuk Volkova» (1914), «heroic feat centurion Botkin» (1915) and «Russia's war with the Germans. Heroic deed Cossack Kuzma Kryuchkov »(1914). Feat Kryuchkov was one of the most common subjects of campaign posters. Kazak Kryuchkov in the battle near the Polish town of Calvary personally destroyed in the battle 11 enemies, while receiving 16 stab wounds.

order to replenish funds for the war, the Government announced an internal military 5.5-percent loan. Mount a publicity campaign calling for mass participation in the loan. At the same time produced posters with appeals for help to the wounded, ruined the peaceful population, to make donations to the device charitable soup kitchens. Characteristic of this period are the posters on display in the exhibition chromolithography SA Vinogradov «Russian soldiers in captive expect you to help »(1915), RG Zarrina« Who are your breasts do not reflect the enemy, even if the military buys a 5 œ% Loan »(1916) and« patriotically and profitably. Buy 5 œ% War Loan »(1917).

Scenes, appearing on posters, repeated on-postal. Stamps issued in the campaign in support of a military loan extended, in particular, conductors Petrograd Tram - stamps were issued, instead of wishing to surrender.

Events in February 1917 as a whole did not affect the nature, form and orientation of propaganda art. The task of the Provisional Government was also a propaganda war to a victorious conclusion and calls for charitable collections for the victims of the hostilities. But appears and a new direction - promoting the republican system. A striking example of this is presented in a poster BM Kustodiev «Liberty Loan». Slogan «War to win» barely visible in the background, it is covered by the figure of a soldier in full growth, the revolutionary banner and figures as demonstrators.

The exhibition also included photos showing the events taking place at the fronts of the First World War and the Russian rear. Among them are the work of KK Bulla «declaration of war on the Palace Square», «patriotic demonstration in front of the Winter Palace on the day of declaration of war» (both - 1914), «The Review of Nicholas II in the infantry in the field of Mars» (1916); Y. Steinberg «Exhibition martial trophies» (1916), «infirmary in the Armorial Hall of the Winter Palace» (1914-1917), photographs by unknown artists «Column Austrian prisoners on Nevsky Prospect in St. Michael's Street» (1916), «Russian soldiers in the trenches» (1914-1916).

The exhibition is open until November 20, 2009.

Source: spbmuseum.ru