Fight Drunkenness & Hooliganism, Soviet Propaganda

This commanding Soviet propaganda poster from the late 1970s delivers its message with uncompromising visual force. A heroic worker's face, rendered in striking red silhouette, gazes down with stern disapproval as the word 'ОСУЖДАЕМ!' (We Condemn!) slashes diagonally across the composition in jagged letters. The target of this condemnation scurries at the bottom: caricatured figures of drunkards and hooligans, rendered in mocking gray, fleeing before the righteous judgment of Soviet society. The text at lower left spells out the full message: 'Drunkenness, slovenliness, hooliganism, fight without mercy!' This poster represents the ongoing Soviet campaigns against alcoholism that intensified during the Brezhnev era, when the state struggled to address chronic social problems affecting industrial productivity. Behind the heroic figure, construction cranes and new housing blocks symbolize the socialist progress being threatened by antisocial behavior. Published by the Plakat publishing house in Moscow with a print run of 50,000 copies, this poster demonstrates the sophisticated graphic language Soviet designers developed for mass communication. The dramatic diagonal composition, limited color palette, and contrast between heroic realism and satirical caricature create a visually striking document of Cold War era social engineering. Size: 34.25" x 22.25" Artist: B. Reshetnikov Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Original fold lines as issued. Wear along folds. General border wear. Light corner wear. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.