The artwork titled “Basic Calculus” created by El Lissitzky in 1928 is a poster emanating from the Constructivism art movement.
The artwork is characterized by its distinct geometric simplicity and use of bold typography. It features four stylized figures fashioned primarily from the letters “С” (Cyrillic for ‘S’) and “Р” (Cyrillic for ‘R’), holding banners, symbolizing unity and the socialist republic. The human forms are reduced to rudimentary shapes, emphasizing a sense of collectivism and modernity central to the Constructivist ideology. The color palette is predominantly red and black on a white background, with a stark purple band on the right, enhancing its graphic and propagandistic nature. The text elements at the bottom spell out the full name of the Soviet Union in Cyrillic, integrating seamlessly with the visual composition.
