Final answer:
The illustration by Varvara Stepanova functioned as graphic art for political and propaganda purposes, communicating the success of the Soviet Union's industrialization under Stalin's first Five-Year Plan and reinforcing Stalin's image as the leader and teacher of the Soviet people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The illustration from The Results of the First Five-Year Plan by Varvara Stepanova serves primarily as graphic art for political and propaganda purposes. It was created during a period when Soviet cultural production, including propaganda posters, played a significant role in educating and mobilizing the populace. These posters, which often depicted Joseph Stalin, were designed to convey the achievements of the Soviet Union under his leadership, as part of broader efforts to build support for the regime's initiatives and transform society.
Through the use of charts and graphs as well as iconic imagery of Stalin, these posters communicated the success of the five-year plans implemented to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union. The posters also cultivated the image of Stalin as a guiding teacher of the Soviet people, reinforcing the message of the regime's success and progress.
Concluding, these posters were not just artistic expressions but were strategic tools used to shape public perception and behavior towards the goals of the Soviet Union and the dominance of Stalin's vision.