The artwork titled “As the Germans Let Out a Bolshevik to Russia” was created by Ivan Bilibin in 1917. This piece belongs to the Art Nouveau movement, also known as Modern, and is classified as a poster.
In the artwork, a figure is depicted embodying a Bolshevik, carrying a red banner with “Всех долой!” (which translates to “Down with everyone”) inscribed on it. The figure is walking along a ridge towards a decrepit bird, symbolizing a weakened German Empire, which is facing a group of German soldiers. The soldiers are shown grimacing and smirking as they observe the Bolshevik figure. The backdrop includes a cityscape, indicating urban settings. Each element within the artwork, from the attire of the figures to the specific items like the champagne bottle and drummer, portrays the socio-political landscape of 1917 Russia and the artists’ critical perspective on the events unfolding during that period.
