Vladimir Lenin giving a speech

What it is

This black-and-white photograph shows Vladimir Lenin, bald and bearded, speaking with one arm raised to a large crowd gathered in front of a large building with arched doorways. It is associated with Lenin's arrival in Saint Petersburg and the events of the October Revolution.

Why it matters

This image became one of the most recognisable depictions of Lenin as a revolutionary orator. It was later retouched and widely reproduced in Soviet propaganda, showing how images of leaders can be altered to serve political purposes.

Look closer

• What does Lenin's pose suggest about his role in this moment?
• Why might this photograph have been retouched later, and what might have been changed?
• What does the size of the crowd suggest about the importance of this event?