description Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge (El Lissitzky, 1919) Overview
Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge is a 1919 propaganda poster created by Russian artist El Lissitzky. The lithograph is an abstract geometric composition depicting a large red triangle piercing into a white circle, set against a black background with bold, Cyrillic text. Created during the Russian Civil War, the dynamic shapes served as a direct visual metaphor for the Bolshevik Red Army breaking through and defeating the anti-communist White movement. It stands as a definitive masterpiece of the Russian Constructivist movement, showcasing the application of abstract Suprematist art toward political communication.
help Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge (El Lissitzky, 1919) FAQ
What does Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge mean?
The poster is a Bolshevik propaganda image from 1919, created during the Russian Civil War. The large red triangle symbolizes the Bolshevik Red Army, while the white circle represents the anti-Bolshevik White forces, and the composition declares that the Reds will pierce and defeat the Whites.
What art movement was El Lissitzky associated with?
El Lissitzky was a leading figure in the Russian Constructivist movement, which sought to merge art with revolutionary politics and industrial production. His work bridged Suprematism, exemplified by Kazimir Malevich, and the more utilarian aims of Constructivism.
Was Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge mass-produced?
The image was circulated as a lithographic poster in support of the Bolshevik war effort, though relatively few original prints survive today. It is now far better known through reproductions in art history books and exhibitions than it was as a widely seen street poster.
Where can I see an original print of the Lissitzky poster?
Original impressions are held in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. The poster is frequently included in surveys of 20th-century graphic design and Russian avant-garde art.
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