Inscriptions

Tsarist Russia- the Russia of landlords and capitalists keenly preserved the interests of its masters. The working class did not have any rights; any strike, any organization with the goal of mutual assistance, not to speak of revolutionary circles - all were prohibited and for participation in them, workers were cruelly punished. Before the 1905 Revolution, professional organizations were not permitted and before this time they are almost not to be found.
Only after October 1905, when the All-Russian Political Strike wrested a number of concessions from the tsarist autocracy, professional unions of workers spread widely all throughout the country and drew hundreds and thousands of proletarians to join their ranks.
By the end of 1905, the number of members had risen to 100,000 people. But the existence of professional organizations was shortlived. The defeat of the December 1905 uprising and the ensuing reaction fell harshly not only on the heads of the participants in the revolutionary struggle, but also on professional unions. According to the March 4th, 1906 law, their activity was surrendered to the cruel control of the police. Prosecution, arrests of union leaders, searches and the closing of unions became commonplace. Such a moment is depicted in Lebedev's painting.

below image: print by the artist Lebedev

LL: [printing information]
LC: The Museum of the Revolution Publisher
LR: Moscow, Goznak, 1932