Russian Film Posters: 1900-1930

These film posters are unique in their approach to representing films, creating new and original images – more evocative than descriptive. The movie is depicted through the use of expressive typography, geometric forms, minimalist illustrations and their distinctive technique of recreating photographs by hand. Works by famous artists of the time such as Alexander Rodchenko, the Stenberg Brothers, Yakov Ruklevsky, Nikolai Prusakov, Alexander Naumov and others are featured.

After the Russian revolution in 1917 and the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922, cinema played an important role in the dissemination of propaganda for the new regime. A large number of Russian movies were produced during the 1920s and early 1930s, and there was also an increase in films imported from other countries. Advertising posters played a major role to attract large audiences. The book reveals the strong influence of modernist art movements such as constructivism and Dadaism on these art works.”