This charming Soviet educational poster from the early 1970s celebrates one of the forest’s smallest but most effective workers: the red wood ant. Its title, Мал, да удал, is a beloved Russian proverb meaning “Small but mighty,” perfectly suited to an insect capable of remarkable work. According to the poster, a single ant colony can destroy as many as 100,000 harmful insects per day and millions over the course of a summer, making these ants valuable natural protectors of Soviet forests.Artist G.V. Shubin turns this ecological lesson into a wonderfully playful image, depicting the ant in boots and armed with a broom as it confidently sweeps away a caterpillar and beetle. The heroic little worker reflects a familiar tradition in Soviet graphic design, where even educational subjects were brought to life through characters that celebrated hard work and collective usefulness. Red wood ants were valued for their role in natural pest control, and forestry campaigns encouraged the protection of their colonies.Published in Moscow by the Forest Industry Publishing House, the poster was printed in an edition of 50,000 copies and originally sold for just 8 kopecks, allowing it to be widely distributed to schools, forestry offices, and other educational spaces. Combining science, humor, and colorful illustration, it is a delightful example of how Soviet designers transformed a simple lesson in forest conservation into memorable visual storytelling.Size: 22.75" x 17.0"Artist: G.V. ShubinCondition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Light border wear. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.
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