Yakov Khalip’s "Battleship Marat" (1938) represents a significant documentation of Soviet naval power in the pre-war period. Created during a time of rapid military expansion and modernisation in the USSR, the photograph captures crew members aboard one of the Baltic Fleet's most powerful battleships. The image emerged from Khalip's work for major Soviet publications like "USSR in Construction," where he collaborated with avant-garde artists including Alexander Rodchenko.

The composition demonstrates remarkable spatial organization, with three massive naval gun barrels dominating the upper third of the frame, creating a dramatic canopy above the assembled sailors. The gathered crew members form a dense, triangular mass below, their white uniforms contrasting sharply with the darker elements of the ship. A single sailor stands elevated above his comrades, creating a visual bridge between the human element and the imposing artillery above. This hierarchical arrangement reflects both military order and Soviet photographic conventions of the period.