La Paix - Les forces armées doivent reculer les peuples 1953

This powerful 1953 original Soviet poster by Zelenski is a striking example of Cold War–era peace propaganda, created at a time when the Soviet Union positioned itself as the defender of global peace in opposition to “imperialist” militarism. Your proposed translation can be refined: the Russian slogan “Мир — воля миллионов! Силы войны должны отступить!” is best rendered in English as “Peace is the will of millions! The forces of war must retreat!”

The composition centers on a heroic male figure raising his open hand in a commanding, almost halting gesture, as if physically stopping the advance of war. His determined expression and rolled-up sleeves present him as an ordinary yet idealized citizen—an embodiment of the people’s collective will. Behind him rises a dense crowd carrying red banners emblazoned with the word “Peace” in multiple languages, underlining the internationalist message and the idea of a worldwide movement united against war.

The dramatic upward angle, the strong modeling of the figure, and the luminous sky evoke Socialist Realist traditions, transforming the anonymous citizen into a monumental symbol of moral authority. The red flags introduce urgency and emotional force, while the multilingual inscriptions situate the Soviet peace campaign within a global context, suggesting solidarity across borders.

Produced in the early 1950s, at the height of postwar tension, this poster belongs to a vast visual campaign promoting peace congresses and mass mobilization against nuclear threat and military escalation. It asserts that true power does not lie in weapons, but in the unified will of the people.

Today, this poster stands as both a compelling graphic work and a revealing historical artifact. With its bold imagery, clear message, and confident optimism, it captures how art was used to transform political ideology into a vivid call for action—asserting peace not as passivity, but as an active, collective force capable of shaping history.

Original Poster

Communism - Propaganda - USSR - Russia

Printed in Moscow

Good condition, creases, small tears