Large format, measuring approx. 19" x 26". This is an original work in airbrushing technique, possibly one of the very first in the Soviet Union. Even though the airbrush was invented in the late 19th century, it began to be used as a painting tool in the 1930s-40s. On the verso, there is the ink stamp of the Art Salon at the Leningrad Chapter of the Union of Soviet Artists (С.С.Х.Л.). The stamp is very faint, even under "black light". As far as we could see, it reads, line by line,

Fine Arts
Salon
ACCEPTED
С.С.Х.Л.

In 1943, the artist's union was re-named "Leningrad Union of Soviet Artists" ("Ленинградский Союз Советских Художников", ЛССХ), so this work must have been accepted for exhibition or storage, and given an inventory number prior to that change.

However, Stalin is depicted in his Marshal's uniform with shoulder boards. Shoulder boards were introduced into the Soviet Armed Forces in 1943. This fact, together with the abbreviation of the artists' union, provides a rare opportunity to date this painting.

In very good to excellent condition. The oil stain opposite Stalin's temple is unfortunate but, thankfully, small and not too intrusive to the eye. As any other original piece of artwork, it shows "the artist's hand" where it touched the paper. Luckily, this artist's hand was very light and left only the faintest barely discernable soiling at the edges of the paper. Minor storage wear, mostly in the lower right quadrant of the painting, shows in diagonal lines where the paint probably was in contact with something that left these marks.

Overall, the wear is negligibly light and not too detractive.

Please note that the medal in our last photo is for size reference.