12th April 1961

Oleg Mikhailovich Savostyuk, 1971

Medium: Offset/paper
Dimensions /: 118 H x 56 W
Country: Russian SFSR
Condition: A | Excellent - Minimal to no signs of wear

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"12th April 1961" (1971) by Oleg Mikhailovich Savostyuk marks the tenth anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's pioneering spaceflight during a period of shifting space race dynamics. Created in the aftermath of NASA's successful Apollo 11 mission in 1969, the poster represents a calculated effort to maintain public confidence in the Soviet space programme during a time when American lunar successes had begun to overshadow earlier Soviet space achievements.

The composition centres on Yuri Gagarin's face, rendered in golden tones within a distinctive blood-orange helmet, while a stylised white and orange bird form sweeps dramatically across the upper portion of the deep blue cosmic background. The bird's flight path echoes the arc of orbital flight, creating dynamic visual movement that draws the eye upward towards the stark typographic date. The warm orange of the spacesuit against cosmic blues represents a significant departure from traditional Soviet poster aesthetics, exemplifying the 'cosmic' style that emerged during the 1960s space race. The date "12.IV.1961" at the top centre of the poster serves as both historical marker and triumphant reminder of Soviet space supremacy.

The work achieves its propagandistic aims through visual metaphor rather than the heavy-handed symbolism characteristic of earlier Soviet posters. Where previous space race propaganda relied heavily on slogans and explicit messaging, this poster communicates through pure visual poetry - the date alone carries the full weight of historical significance. This refined approach speaks to a moment when Gagarin's achievement had become such a fundamental part of Soviet identity that it required no additional explanation or embellishment.

Oleg Mikhailovich Savostyuk (1927-2021) was one of the Soviet Union's most influential graphic artists and poster designers. After completing his education at the Moscow State Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov (1947-1953), he joined the USSR Union of Artists in 1953. He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1980, and his works are in major collections including the State Tretyakov Gallery and the State Russian Museum.