Early Soviet Photographers Poster, Abram Shterenberg, (1936) Portrait of a Worker, 1983 Exhibition, Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
$105.14
Early Soviet Photographers Poster, Abram Shterenberg, (1936) Portrait of a Worker, 1983 Exhibition, Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
This is a vintage mid century poster of Abram Shterenberg's "Portrait of a Worker" from 1936, part of an exhibition at the Bolton Museum and Art Gallery in 1983.
Dimensions: 30.3 in x 20.1 in (77 cm x 51 cm)
Shterenberg was a master of portrait photography, a technical virtuoso and gifted artist. In 1927, he submitted about fifty examples of his work to the exhibition “Ten Years of Soviet Photography”, mostly portraits.
This undeniably powerful portrait of an unknown worker was part of an exhibition at George Eastman House, Rochester, New York in November 1984. It demonstrates his skills in lighting. It highlights the texture of the skin which, with the application of a little oil glows with the rugged rude health of a hardworking labourer.
Crosslighting generates deep shadows in the creases of the skin while the light from he left, the source situated further behind sets the eye socket deeper into darkness. These effects dramatise the physicality of the subject whose uncombed shocks of hair roughen the contours of the image.
Even shooting at close quarters with perilously shallow depth of field that would require the subject to remain still, Shterenberg manages to retain animation in the man’s expression. As is so often the effective strategy in propagandistic imagery of this kind the angle of view is slightly from below so that the subject is recognised by the viewer as heroic, but Shterenberg’s innovation is to bring the face close enough to encourage identification with this unidentified comrade by a revolutionary audience.
Because of the age of these posters, there are areas of wear and tear, particularly on the edges. I have done my best to take photos where they are torn or stained. The good news is that when framed, the tears press up well against glass, and edges can be hidden by mats. Any wear picked up from years are part of the vintage charm.
This poster will be sent in a cardboard-backed envelope for protection.
See the FAQ for more information on shipping, tracking and insurance options.
Terms & Conditions and Right of Withdrawal
Shipping from United Kingdom
Processing time
1-2 business days
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
Privacy policy
I won't use your details for marketing purposes and do not run a mailing list.
I share your delivery information with a third party delivery service who only use it to deliver your item. They will not contact you unless there is a problem delivering your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping - Tracking and Insurance
All poster deliveries use Royal Mail if possible. Some very large posters or charts may require use of a different delivery company.
Items are sent tracked and insured.
Local deliveries are sent Royal Mail 24 Tracked by default, you can upgrade to Special Delivery. Most parcels arrive within the expected timescale, but Royal Mail no longer guarantees delivery to previously set timescales.
International deliveries are sent Royal Mail International Tracked by default, you can upgrade to UPS which usually takes less than a week. The estimate of 3-7 days does not include time spent within the customs service of which delivery companies have not control.
If you have questions or concerns, please get in touch before you purchase.
Gift wrapping and packaging
If a poster has been stored folded, it will be sent folded in a cardboard-backed envelope.
If a poster has been stored rolled, it will be sent rolled in a cardboard tube.
If appropriate, posters will be wrapped with tissue paper.
All packaging is sent wrapped with "fragile" tape.
I reuse tubes and envelopes in order to try to minimise packaging.
If you have requested gift wrapping, please indicate what sort of gift it is and I will try to use accommodating paper.
If you'd like a card with a handwritten note, please include a message.
If you would not like the receipt included inside (there is no price information on it) please indicate.