Dad, do not drink. (D. Bulanov) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a stark Soviet anti-alcohol poster from 1929 by D. Bulanov, titled Dad, Dont Drink. The artwork features a powerful visual metaphor intended to evoke strong emotions and convey a clear message.

What I see:

• Dominant elements: The most prominent elements are a large, disembodied hand holding a chalice filled with dark liquid aloft, positioned above a crying child. The hand and a portion of a blue garment (presumably belonging to the person holding the drink) dominate the upper left of the poster against a black background. The child, depicted in a somewhat stylized and exaggerated manner, is in the foreground, looking upwards with a desperate, pleading expression, tears visibly streaming down their face. The child is dressed in simple, somewhat worn clothing.
• Color palette: The use of color is minimal but impactful. The background is a solid, ominous black. The hand and child are rendered in muted tones of brown and gray, emphasizing their vulnerability and distress. The bright, saturated blue of the garment offers a visual contrast, perhaps representing the oppressive presence of the unseen father or the allure of drink. The liquid in the chalice is a dark, rich color, suggesting alcohol.
• Text: Bold, white Cyrillic text at the bottom of the poster reads ПАПА, НЕ ПЕЙ which translates to Dad, Dont Drink. There is also a signature Д.БУЛАНОВ. and publication details.

What are the subtexts?

The subtexts of this poster are multifaceted and deeply rooted in the social and political context of the Soviet Union in 1929.

• The devastating impact of alcoholism on families: The most direct subtext is the plea of a child to their father, highlighting the severe emotional and psychological toll alcohol abuse takes on loved ones, particularly children. The childs distorted features and distraught expression emphasize their suffering and helplessness in the face of the fathers drinking.
• Alcoholism as a societal ill: Beyond the personal, the poster likely reflects a broader societal concern about alcoholism. In the early Soviet period, there was a drive to address social ills that were seen as detrimental to the progress and productivity of the new society. Alcoholism was viewed as a symptom of backwardness and a hindrance to building a strong socialist state.
• The father figure as both source of comfort and threat: The large hand, representing the father, is positioned above the child, suggesting a protective or nurturing role. However, it is also the source of the temptation (the drink) that is causing the child such distress. This duality creates a powerful tension, portraying the father as someone who should be a protector but is instead a source of pain.
• The allure and destructive power of alcohol: The chalice is held up high, making it seem significant and perhaps even alluring. The dark liquid symbolizes indulgence, but in the context of the childs reaction, it is clearly presented as a destructive force.
• Propaganda and social engineering: As a Soviet poster, Dad, Dont Drink serves as a piece of propaganda. Its aim is to influence public behavior and promote a specific social norm – abstinence or at least moderation – through emotional appeal and moral persuasion. The collective good and the well-being of future generations were often emphasized in Soviet social campaigns.
• Vulnerability and innocence: The childs representation is crucial. They embody innocence and vulnerability, making their plea all the more poignant. The portrayal serves to awaken empathy and guilt in the viewer, particularly those who might be engaging in excessive drinking like the depicted father.

In essence, the poster is a powerful visual argument against alcoholism, using the raw emotion of a childs suffering to condemn the destructive behavior of a father and, by extension, the broader societal problem of drink.