What do these images reveal about Stalin’s self-presentation to various audiences?
In almost all of the images, Stalin is portrayed to be the tallest figure along with the figure who facilitates the most power. As a leader of the Soviet Union, his self-presentation is a very important aspect to consider. No one is going to look up to a leader if they don’t display themselves as someone who has power, initiative, knowledge and even relations with the population in which he governs. In these images, Stalin’s power is clear along with his “compassion” for the people. He also demonstrates his initiative with his activism in supporting women’s equality, which supports that he is for the people. As I mentioned previously, in the images Stalin is always the tallest, except for whenever Lenin is included. Do you think that there is a deeper meaning behind Lenin almost looking over Stalin in these images? What do you think the presence of Lenin as a higher power or overshadowing figure does to his self-presentation?
I think the presence of Lenin in images with Stalin is key to how Stalin is portraying himself to the people. As we all know, Lenin was at the head of overthrowing the tsar and turning Russia into a communist nation. Therefore, many people looked up to him with admiration and showered him with praise. When Stalin came into the picture, he had to win over the people as well, and what better way to do it than showing his comradeship with Lenin? I believe that Lenin is pictured as a higher power/overshadowing figure to show the people that Stalin is continuing his legacy, rather than going against his wishes. You could say Lenin is a mentor to Stalin, someone he looks up to and aspires to be like.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying that Lenin is looking over Stalin in the images. However, I would agree that in image 11, Lenin somewhat overcasts Stalin in a way that pays homage to Lenin but also displaying Stalin in a manner that he is like the prodigal son. However in images 4,5, and 10, I would argue that Stalin is portrayed almost equal to Lenin. They are shown casually discussing what we can assume is some diplomatic subject in pictures 4 and 5. In 10, we see portraits aligned of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin in order to show the progress of the leaders of the socialist movement to again show some equivalence between the four men.
I the agree with John, on the fact that Lenin is almost looking out on the Soviet Union with Stalin, rather than over him. I think the point was to show the Russian people that Stalin has the same mentality and ability as Lenin, and Lenin is the god-like figure that looks over all of Stalin’s choices.
I believe Lenin is most often portrayed in this slideshow as being the “overshadowing figure” because during his rule, Lenin became very respected and idolized figure. I think Lenin is portrayed this way beside Stalin to show that Lenin will forever be an idolized leader, and that Stalin could never be considered a better leader than Lenin, but he could have the ability to be just as great. These pictures do not have anything against Stalin as a leader, but it pays tribute towards Lenin to show he could never be forgotten.