International exhibition of posters. Greater Moravian number 38 (Porfirov I.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a poster for an international exhibition of posters, designed by I. Porfirov and created in 1897. The central image is a portrait of a woman with a wreath of flowers in her wavy, fair hair. She is depicted in a classical style, with a fair complexion and her shoulders bare, draped in white fabric. In her right hand, she holds a paintbrush, and in her left, she cradles a palette with brushes.
The poster features bold Russian text at the top, that reads МЕЖДУНАРОДНАЯ ВЫСТАВКА, translating to INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. Below this, in larger, stylized lettering, is the word АФИШЪ, meaning POSTERS. The name and number of the exhibition, БОЛЬШАЯ МОРСКАЯ №№38 (BOLSHAYA MORSKAYA No. 38), are inscribed at the bottom. To the left of the woman, several Cyrillic letters are arranged vertically in a stylistic manner, potentially representing elements related to art or artistic education.
The subtext of the poster is clear: it is a promotional piece for an exhibition showcasing posters. The central figure of the woman, depicted as an artist with her tools, symbolizes the creative spirit and the art of poster design. The classical aesthetic, combined with the artistic elements, aims to convey sophistication and artistic merit. The year 1897 suggests it is a historical artifact of advertising and a testament to the art scene of that period.