Occupying the prominent center ground of the painting, the large Bolshevik represents the sentiment of the revolutionists as he carries a large red flag which shows their support of the Communist movement and change in Russia. The Bolshevik, dressed in uniform with the mass that stands below him, celebrates the supposedly leaderless nature of this march and the widespread international Communist movement at the time. Specifically, this leaderless nature conveyed in this painting could highlight Russia’s then-recent newly instilled communist political state. The Bolshevik is virtually featureless like the members in the crowd. The only thing separating him being his size and the flag he carries. This flag flows throughout the painting, uniting the people, and has no end in sight. Ironically, the October Revolution was led by Lenin, who supported an exclusive echelon of leaders; its success was largely due to the heavy involvement of a pre-selected rank of revolutionaries making choices on behalf of the proletariat (UIA). With this in mind, Kustodiev may be raising a critique of Leninism and the revolution, instead crediting the faceless, ordinary workers for its outcome. Aside from uniting the people under a single cause, the flag also overtakes the old Russian buildings, foreshadowing the change from the old autocratic ways to the new Communist norm. The red flag is also symbolic of the revolution as it alludes to the blood of the people. One of the sparks of the revolution was the mistreatment and unsafe working conditions of the industrialization of Russia. The red that represents the movement is also—more literally—the color of the people and their labor. Kustodiev shifts the focus from the Revolution’s more visible figures to the invisible workers.

The large crowds and giant Bolshevik also encounter buildings that resemble the old Russian Orthodox Church which are presented as an adversary for the common people and representation of the old order. The giant leader of the crowd has his eyes fixed on the building, as if it is the only obstacle on his forward march. The common people swarm the structure, literally circumventing its authority. Immediately following the Bolsheviks’ seizure of the government in 1918, two years before this painting was completed, the government enacted a separation of Church and state; this denied the eastern Orthodox Church the right to own property or hold legal status. It was an explicit goal of the Bolshevik government to dismantle the historical power of the Church (Bunyan). However, Kustodiev implies this was an action done by the people, rather than political leaders. This theme recurs as the focus of the painting as Kustodiev presents the Russian Revolution of 1917 as one led by the people aimed at overthrowing and replacing the czarist past with a new communist regime.

Aside from the historical insights drawn from Kustodiev’s piece, much can be learned through an exploration of the artistic style of The Bolshevik as well. The cool-toned winter depicted in the piece contrasts the warmth of the people and red flag, establishing them as united as a visual whole and distinct from the landscape. The dull and repetitive clothing of the masses of people unite them in the frame, making it hard to distinguish individuals. They are virtually featureless; the only defining feature being warm blotches indicating their faces. Even the giant Bolshevik occupying the prominent middle portion of the frame is dressed almost identically to the crowds of people. The red flag the figure is holding serves to draw attention away from the unremarkable people and invites the viewer to consider the overarching cause these people are marching for. Snow-capped trees and the green-toned sky cast the environment as inhospitable and barren compared to the red flag and warm-faced masses. Without this color contrast, the people would be unexceptional and the boldness of the flag would have less of an impact. In retrospect, the shapes and space present in the painting draw additional meaning as well. The movement of the masses aligns with the flowing flag as they occupy all available space in the painting, contrasting the rigidity of the vertical architecture. The crowd is malleable and flowing, molding themselves around the obstacle-like buildings, whilst headed towards the opposite direction of the Bolshevik. They leave no space as they engulf the streets, from the top of the hill to its bottom. While it may be difficult to discern each individual, the greater mass of people is almost like its own living entity. The seemingly never-ending flag appears to be mirroring the shape of the crowd, taking up all possible negative space by weaving effortlessly through the sky and streets alike. In contrast, the buildings are unmoving and weighty, casting strong, straight lines across the painting. The people pouring out of the streets creates distance between each structure, accenting the impersonal, almost brutal setting.

By breaking down the complexities of The Bolshevik (1920) and studying its context, techniques, and inspirations, much can be learned about the Russian Revolution and prevailing attitudes from those involved. Through his painting, Kustodiev successfully conveys the communist message prevalent in Russia and serves as an inspiration to many following the communist movement throughout history. The Bolshevik’s historical significance lies in its offering of insight for audiences of all backgrounds unseen prior; its all-encompassing artistic, political, and rhetorical commentary on the Russian Revolution draws encouragement for all to critically consider what it truly means to be a revolutionary in a revolution.