And there will be a new constellation - Gagarin & Zodiac signs 1972

This poetic and visually striking 1972 Soviet poster by M. Belyayev, titled “Et il y aura une nouvelle constellation” (“And there will be a new constellation”), offers a unique fusion of space exploration and symbolic imagery, celebrating the legacy of Yuri Gagarin.

At the heart of the composition is a bold red star set against a deep blue background—an unmistakable emblem of the Soviet Union. Surrounding it, a circular arrangement of stylized figures evokes the signs of the zodiac, rendered in a simplified, almost folkloric visual language. This celestial ring suggests the heavens themselves, traditionally mapped by constellations, now reimagined through a Soviet lens.

Below, the smiling portrait of Gagarin in his helmet anchors the image in reality. His presence transforms the abstract symbolism above into a concrete message: humanity, through Soviet achievement, has entered the cosmos and begun to redefine it. The idea of a “new constellation” becomes both metaphor and proclamation—space is no longer distant and mythological, but inhabited and shaped by human endeavor.

The design is notable for its clarity and balance. The limited palette of blue, white, and red enhances visual impact, while the circular composition introduces harmony and continuity. Unlike more technical depictions of spacecraft, this poster leans into allegory, blending science, mythology, and ideology.

Created during a period when the USSR sought to reinforce its pioneering role in the Space Race, the poster reflects a shift toward more conceptual and culturally resonant imagery. It celebrates not just technological success, but the transformation of humanity’s place in the universe.

Today, this work stands as a rare and imaginative example of Soviet space-age graphic design—where cosmic ambition meets artistic symbolism, and where Gagarin’s legacy is elevated to the level of the stars themselves.

Original Poster

Propaganda - Space - USSR - Russia

Photograph of the Russian cosmonaut and first man in space in 1961, Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968)

Good condition, tears