The Patriotic propaganda postcard with verse by Vladimir Mayakovsky, created by Kazimir Malevich in 1914, is a lithograph classified as an Illustrated Book print. This specific ephemeral work captures the initial fervor of Russian nationalism immediately following the outbreak of World War I. Malevich, who was deeply involved in the burgeoning avant-garde movement, temporarily dedicated his artistic skills to producing easily disseminated propaganda materials during this pivotal moment.
The piece is notable for representing an essential collaboration between the visual artist and the influential Futurist poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, whose accompanying verse provided the textual message for the military scene depicted. Executed quickly as a lithograph, the technique allowed for the rapid and inexpensive production of large quantities of these small prints. Malevich utilized a direct, illustrative style, often drawing on the visual conventions of traditional Russian lubok folk prints to maximize the propaganda’s impact on the wider public, effectively aligning the sophisticated avant-garde with the state's popular military aims.
This print demonstrates the short-lived but intense commitment of the Russian artistic community to supporting the Tsarist military campaign in 1914. Although formally cataloged as an Illustrated Book component, its immediate function was as a postcard, ensuring wide distribution and maximum exposure during the early phase of the war. This historical document provides crucial insight into Malevich’s stylistic versatility and his engagement with topical issues before his revolutionary breakthrough into Suprematism. The work currently resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), contributing to the institution’s holdings of influential graphic arts from the period. As a significant 1914 historical print, its imagery is widely studied and frequently available through public domain archives for scholarly and educational purposes.
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