Tobacco. Tobacco and cigarettes are recommended. (Unknown artist) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The composition presents a row of men seated on a bench, each engrossed in reading newspapers. The figures are arranged tightly together, creating a sense of uniformity and perhaps suggesting a collective endorsement. Their attire is formal – suits with vests, bowler hats, and neatly pressed trousers – indicative of a middle or upper-class demographic within the period depicted. Each man holds a newspaper prominently displayed, obscuring much of their faces but emphasizing the printed material itself. The newspapers bear Cyrillic text and branding details, suggesting a regional context.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – reds, yellows, and browns – which contribute to an overall feeling of vibrancy and appeal. A vertical stripe of red runs along the left edge, drawing the eye into the central figures. The artist employed shading techniques to give depth and volume to the men’s clothing and faces, though a degree of stylization is evident in their features.
Beyond the overt advertising purpose – the promotion of tobacco and paper products – several subtexts emerge. The act of reading itself signifies literacy, education, and engagement with current affairs; these are qualities associated with sophistication and social standing. By portraying men from a similar socioeconomic background enjoying these newspapers, the advertisement implicitly links the product to desirable traits and aspirations.
The uniformity of the figures could be interpreted as an attempt to create a sense of trust and reliability. The shared activity – reading the same publications – suggests a common understanding and reinforces the message that this particular brand is favored by discerning individuals. The overall effect is one of calculated persuasion, aiming not just to sell a product but also to cultivate a specific image and association within the consumers mind.