Ottoman. Tobacco factory. St. Petersburg. (Unknown artist) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The composition presents two figures engaged in a transaction, set against a backdrop that suggests a commercial setting. The central figure, positioned on the right, is a man with a pronounced mustache and a robust build, dressed in what appears to be traditional Ottoman attire – a fur hat, a richly embroidered vest over a dark coat, and a sash around his waist. He holds a pipe in one hand, seemingly offering it to the other man. His expression conveys a mixture of authority and perhaps a touch of theatricality.
To his left stands a second figure, clean-shaven and with a more subdued demeanor. He is dressed in a simpler white shirt and waistcoat, and appears to be examining some documents or currency laid out on a small table between them. The arrangement of these papers – featuring the number 40 – implies a financial exchange. Several packages of cigarettes are also visible on the table, further reinforcing the commercial context.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – reds, yellows, and browns – which contribute to a sense of opulence and perhaps even exoticism. The background is a deep blue, providing contrast and highlighting the figures in the foreground. Stylistically, the work exhibits characteristics reminiscent of late 19th-century advertising art, with its emphasis on bold typography and idealized representations of individuals.
The presence of the Ottoman figure suggests an association between this product (implied by the text Ottoman above) and a sense of Eastern luxury or authenticity. The juxtaposition of the two men – one representing a perceived foreign culture and the other seemingly a local counterpart – might be intended to convey a message about accessibility, suggesting that the pleasures associated with Ottoman culture are now available within this locale. The pipe itself becomes a symbol not just of smoking but also of cultural exchange and perhaps even a certain level of sophistication. The overall effect is one of calculated marketing, designed to evoke desire and associate the product with desirable qualities.