Rodchenko's death-bed portrait of the poet, with whom he had worked closely since 1923. Mayakovsky's frustration and disillusionment with state interference in artistic expression led him to commit suicide in 1930; ironically he was then honoured with a full state funeral. Rodchenko describes hearing of his friend's death on 14 April, 1930, and of visiting his house "...I took five photographs and went home burdened by that dead silence. Days of sorrow began... everyone wanted portraits. A terrible mood, to sit here in a darkroom with Mayakovsky continually appearing on a plain piece of paper in front of you. It was brutal... but for him, necessary."