The artwork, titled “Moscow Book,” was created by artist Varvara Stepanova in 1932 and belongs to the Constructivism art movement. It falls within the genre of design. “Moscow Book” exemplifies Stepanova’s involvement in Constructivism through its blend of photography and graphic design elements.
The artwork features a dynamic design, juxtaposing text with photographic imagery. The composition is distinguished by its use of bold typography in both black and red, complementing the grayscale photograph of a densely packed public scene likely portraying a parade or a mass gathering. The contrast between the large, blocky Cyrillic letters and the detailed photograph serves to draw attention to both the text and the image equally. The Cyrillic text prominently includes phrases that translate to “from merchant Moscow to socialist Moscow,” epitomizing the Constructivist agenda of merging art with social and political messages. The strategic placement of the text and image showcases Stepanova’s skill in balancing visual intensity with conceptual depth, making “Moscow Book” a poignant representation of Constructivism in design.
