Final answer:
The phrase 'Women as Chess pieces' metaphorically represents the concept of women being strategically used and controlled by others, typically male authorities. In historical and Soviet contexts, this is exemplified by the way women are portrayed in art and propaganda as empowered, yet ultimately dependent on male leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Popenoe discusses the concept of "Women as Chess pieces," it reflects the perception of women in certain historical contexts where they are treated as figures to be strategically maneuvered and controlled within a social or political landscape, rather than as individuals with their own autonomy. This metaphoric expression could align with the treatment of women in the Soviet posters, where despite the visual imagery suggesting female empowerment and liberation, the underlying message communicates that the women's roles and achievements are heavily dependent on the endorsement and authority of male leaders, particularly Stalin. The women are depicted as young, attractive, and deferential to Stalin, suggesting that their value and participation in the new order are granted by a male figure rather than being inherent or self-determined.
Soviet propaganda art, such as the posters created by Mikhail Solov'ev, Marina Volkova, and Natalia Pinus, often used the image of women to symbolize the hope and progress of the Soviet state. However, these images also conveyed a political message of allegiance and indebtedness to the male leader, Stalin. Even the painting by Sofonisba Anguissola, The Chess Game, aligns metaphorically with this concept in that the literal depiction of women playing a game of chess might echo how women themselves were maneuvered and positioned in Renaissance society. The key takeaway here is the duality of women's representation in art—both as symbols of progress and as pawns subject to powerful male governance.