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Celebrating 800 Years of Moscow History
This vibrant Soviet-era poster, created to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Moscow in 1947, celebrates the city as a symbol of Russian resilience, pride, and historical achievement.
Titled 800 Years of Moscow, the poster prominently features a central shield with an image of the Kremlin at night, illuminated under a starry sky, surrounded by golden laurel leaves and adorned with a red banner at the top. The Kremlin is depicted with iconic structures such as St. Basil's Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower, underscoring its cultural and political significance.
Four significant moments in Moscow's history are highlighted on the poster's sides. On the left, the 1480 end of the Mongol-Tatar Yoke and the 1612 expulsion of Polish forces are noted, referencing pivotal moments of national triumph. On the right, the 1812 victory over Napoleon and the 1941 defense against German invaders during World War II are commemorated, emphasizing Moscow's enduring role as a defender of Russian sovereignty.
The poster also features historical figures representing different eras of Moscow's history: a medieval knight, a soldier from the Napoleonic Wars, and a modern Soviet soldier, all symbolizing the city’s unbroken legacy of defense. The banner at the bottom reads: Слава тебе, непобедимая Москва, краса и гордость русского народа! ("Glory to you, invincible Moscow, beauty and pride of the Russian people!"), a patriotic declaration celebrating Moscow as the heart of the nation.
The artwork was created by Vera Mikhailovna Livanova. Additional publication details on the verso note that the poster was published by the State Publishing House "ИСКУССТВО" (Art) in Moscow and Leningrad in 1947.
This poster is a powerful visual encapsulation of Moscow's historical and cultural significance, merging patriotic imagery with commemorative details to inspire national pride during the post-World War II era.
Vera Mikhailovna Livanova was a Soviet poster artist, painter, and easel artist, born in 1910 in Moscow, Imperial Russia. Her father was a professor of Russian history, and her early artistic development was nurtured at the Moscow studio of Countess Tatiana Lvovna Sukhotina-Tolstaia, a painter and daughter of the writer Leo Tolstoy. Livanova continued her studies at the Moscow State College of Fine Arts in Memory of 1905 and, from 1928 to 1930, pursued education in the theater department of the Moscow VKHUTEIN (Higher Art and Technical Institute).
In 1932, Livanova worked as a graphic artist in Perm at the All-Union Chamber of Commerce. Her career in poster design began in earnest during the early 1930s, working with prominent publishing houses such as Iskusstvo (Art Publishing House) and IzoGiz (State Publishing House of Fine Art). By the 1960s, she was also creating posters for the publisher Sovietskii Khudozhnik (Soviet Artist). Livanova joined the Union of Artists of the USSR in 1938, marking her as a key figure in Soviet art circles.
During World War II, Livanova contributed to the Soviet war effort and was recognized with the medal "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945." Later, she was awarded the "Veteran of Labor" medal for her post-war artistic contributions. In the post-war period, she collaborated with Agitplakat, a workshop specializing in political posters, further solidifying her reputation as a prominent poster artist.
Throughout her career, Livanova's work was showcased in numerous exhibitions, reflecting her influence and versatility as an artist. Key exhibitions included the Exhibition of Painting, Graphics, and Sculpture of Women Artists (Moscow, 1938), the All-Union Exhibition of Soviet Posters (Moscow, 1941), Posters about the Red Army (RSFSR, 1942), and the International Poster Exhibition (Vienna, 1948). Her works were also displayed at the Exhibition of Works by Soviet Artists in China (1958) and in exhibitions such as Poster and Satire: 40 Years of Moscow Artists' Works (Moscow, 1958).
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