Pour le gouvernement Soviétique ! partie 1 1977

This 1977 poster by Victor Koretsky forms the first panel of a larger triptych titled “За Советскую власть!” (“For Soviet power!”), a work that revisits the revolutionary mythology of the early Soviet state. Created in the Soviet Union during the late 1970s, the poster reflects a renewed emphasis on historical memory and the heroic origins of Soviet authority.

The composition is intense and dramatic. In the foreground, three large, stern faces dominate the image—figures representing Red Army fighters or revolutionary partisans. Their expressions are resolute, almost unyielding, embodying determination and ideological commitment. Behind and below them unfolds a chaotic cavalry charge: mounted soldiers with raised sabers surge forward through smoke and fire, evoking scenes from the Russian Civil War. This layering of faces and action connects individual resolve with collective struggle.

The dominant red and orange tones saturate the poster, symbolizing both revolution and battle. Flames and smoke fill the background, creating a sense of urgency and sacrifice. The visual language is deliberately emotional, designed to immerse the viewer in the violence and heroism of the revolutionary period.

As the first part of a triptych, this image likely introduces the narrative: the fight to establish Soviet power. It emphasizes conflict, courage, and the foundational struggle against opposing forces. Koretsky, known for his powerful and often stark propaganda works, uses strong contrasts and monumental figures to elevate these fighters into almost mythic heroes.

Produced decades after the events it depicts, the poster is less about documenting history than about shaping memory. It reinforces the legitimacy of the Soviet government by recalling the sacrifices made to create it. By glorifying the revolutionary fighters, it suggests that contemporary society is built upon their bravery and loyalty.

Ultimately, this first panel of За Советскую власть! sets the tone for the entire triptych. It presents Soviet power not as an abstract political system, but as the result of struggle, unity, and unwavering conviction—an origin story rendered in bold, unforgettable imagery.

Original Poster

Propaganda - Military - USSR - Russia

Triptych with the different Soviet ethnic groups

Good condition, creases