Moscow Says ... (Unknown artist) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The composition presents a striking visual statement centered around the dissemination of information and the idealized vision of Moscow. The dominant color scheme utilizes a deep blue background, punctuated by stark black and red elements that contribute to a sense of urgency and importance.
At the apex of the poster, bold Cyrillic text proclaims Moscow Speaks... Read and Subscribe to this Magazine! This immediately establishes the purpose: promotion of a periodical titled “Moscow Speaks.” The typography is assertive, employing a dynamic diagonal arrangement that draws the eye downward.
The central image features a stylized depiction of Moscows skyline, dominated by a radio tower – a symbol of communication and technological advancement. A large circular emblem containing further text and imagery overlays this architectural representation. Within the circle, we see what appears to be a gathering of people listening intently to a loudspeaker, reinforcing the theme of receiving messages from Moscow.
Below the central image, a group of figures is rendered in a more realistic style. They appear to be workers – a man in overalls and a woman in a simple dress – engaged in conversation or perhaps sharing news. The placement of these individuals at the base of the composition suggests their role as recipients and disseminators of Moscows voice. A date, 1931, is prominently displayed near them, anchoring the image within a specific historical context.
The lower portion of the poster contains subscription details and further text in smaller font, detailing the magazine’s content – news, radio broadcasts, cultural events, and more. The phrase “Every Citizen Must Have This Magazine ‘Moscow Speaks’ in All Houses” is presented in a bold banner, emphasizing the mandatory nature of engagement with state-approved media.
The overall effect conveys a message of unity, progress, and the importance of staying informed through official channels. The artist employed a combination of symbolic imagery – the radio tower, the circular emblem, the idealized workers – to construct a narrative that promotes both the magazine itself and the broader ideology associated with Moscow as a center of power and cultural influence. The design’s dynamism and bold use of color are characteristic of Soviet propaganda art from this period, intended to capture attention and inspire action.