The artwork titled “Night of the Books,” created by Varvara Stepanova in 1924, is a notable example of the Constructivism movement. This piece, which belongs to the genre of posters, exemplifies the distinctive features and aesthetic principles associated with Constructivism.
The artwork prominently features bold, geometric typography with large characters at the top spelling out “ВЕЧЕР” (which translates to “night” or “evening” in Russian), flanked by similarly styled, smaller characters at the bottom spelling “КНИГИ” (which means “books”). Leading towards the central vanishing point is a striking, black-and-white, photomontage depiction of uniformed individuals moving in symmetry. The stark contrast between black and white, as well as the precise alignment and repetitive pattern of the figures, creates a dynamic yet orderly composition. The visual elements are further accented by additional textual information in various box placements and alignments, adding to the constructivist nature of the poster.
