Georgian Military Highway

Alexander Arnoldovich Zhitomirsky, 1939

Medium: Offset/paper
Dimensions /: 97 H x 68 W
Country: Georgian SSR
Condition: B | Fine - Minor signs of wear

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"Georgian Military Highway" (1939) by Alexander Arnoldovich Zhitomirsky was commissioned to showcase the historic mountain passage connecting Russia and Georgia through the Caucasus. Created during a period when the USSR actively promoted domestic tourism, this lithographic poster exemplifies Soviet modernist sensibilities in its dual celebration of technological progress and natural grandeur.

The composition is dominated by towering, stylised cliff faces that occupy two-thirds of the vertical space, rendered in muted sage greens and warm ochres. A gleaming blue automobile, positioned in the lower third, speeds along a highway that curves dramatically through the mountainous terrain. Zhitomirsky employs masterful simplification and abstraction, reducing the complex geological formations to vertical planes whilst maintaining their imposing presence. This creates a visual rhythm which draws the eye downward to the vehicle below. This poster demonstrates clear influence from American commercial art, Art Deco aesthetics, and Soviet constructivist principles.

The work's conceptual power lies in its subtle fusion of multiple narratives: technological progress, natural grandeur, and political achievement. The modern automobile serves as both a symbol of Soviet industrial capability and an invitation to tourism. This juxtaposition of engineered road against monumental cliffs emphasises the triumph of Soviet engineering over nature, whilst simultaneously celebrating the region's spectacular beauty. The perspective, placing the viewer slightly above the scene, creates a sense of mastery over the landscape that aligns perfectly with Soviet ideological objectives.

Zhitomirsky (1907-1993) developed his distinctive style through studies at the Rostov Art School and later under Vladimir Favorsky at Vkhutemas. His versatility as a commercial artist earned him significant commissions for major Soviet publications including 'USSR in Construction' and 'Soviet Union' magazines. Throughout his career, he successfully merged photography, illustration, and graphic design techniques, eventually earning recognition as a Merited Artist of the RSFSR in 1967. His works are now held in major collections including the State Tretyakov Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.