The solemn promise of joining the Workers 'Peasants' Red Army (D. Moore) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The image is a Soviet propaganda poster created in 1919 by Dmitry Moor, titled The Solemn Promise to Join the Workers and Peasants Red Army. The style is constructivist, characterized by bold geometric shapes and a limited color palette of red, black, and beige.

What I see:

• Central Figure: A dominant figure, likely a leader or representative of the Red Army, stands in the center, hoisting a large, dark red flag. They are wearing a traditional Russian overcoat with red trim and a cap, possibly a Budenovka hat, though its difficult to discern the exact shape. The figures right arm is raised, palm open, in a solemn gesture of oath-taking or promise. Their face is somewhat obscured by shadow and the angle, but it conveys determination.
• The Crowd: Below the central figure, a mass of people are depicted with raised fists and arms, also taking an oath. Many are holding weapons, including rifles and bayonets, symbolizing their commitment to armed struggle. The figures are depicted in a dynamic, almost chaotic manner, emphasizing the collective fervor.
• The Flag and Sun: The flag is dark and imposing. Behind it, a stylized, segmented sun or emblem radiates light in shades of orange and red, suggesting a powerful, perhaps divine or ideological, force behind the revolution. The geometric fragmentation of the background elements, especially the sun and abstract shapes, is characteristic of constructivism.
• Text: The poster contains prominent text in Russian, including РСФСР (RSFSR - Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) at the top, and the title ТОРЖЕСТВЕННОЕ ОБЕЩАНИЕ (The Solemn Promise) below the main imagery. There is also a slogan at the top right: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Workers of the world, unite!). Below the main image, there are blocks of text which likely detail the specific promises or tenets of the oath.

Subtexts:

• Revolutionary Fervor and Unity: The raised fists and the mass of people unified under the flag represent the powerful surge of revolutionary spirit and the call for collective action. The image aims to inspire a sense of belonging and shared purpose in joining the Red Army.
• Sacrifice and Struggle: The depicted weapons and the somber, determined expressions (where visible) suggest that joining the Red Army is a serious commitment involving struggle and potential sacrifice for the cause of the revolution.
• Ideological Purity and Divine Mandate: The stylized sun-like element radiating behind the flag can be interpreted as representing a higher ideal, the guiding light of communism, or even a divine sanction for their cause. It elevates the movement beyond mere politics to something sacred.
• Call to Action: The poster is a direct appeal to the working class and peasantry to enlist in the Red Army, which was crucial for consolidating Bolshevik power during the Russian Civil War. The solemn promise aspect emphasizes the gravity and importance of this commitment.
• The Power of the Collective: The overwhelming numbers of people and their unified action highlight the constructivist belief in the power of the masses when organized and directed by a common ideology.
• Modernity and Art: The constructivist style itself is a subtext, signifying a break from traditional, bourgeois art forms and embracing a new, revolutionary aesthetic that reflects the modern, industrial, and forward-looking nature of the Soviet project. The angular, geometric forms evoke dynamism and industrial efficiency.