1984 Vintage Exhibition Poster: Arts of Imperial Russia (Seattle Art Museum)

1984 Vintage Exhibition Poster: Arts of Imperial Russia (Seattle Art Museum) is a vintage Posters artifact by Pat Hansen Design / Heath Printers (for the Seattle Art Museum) from 1984, preserved in The Record Institute Ephemera Archive.

Category: Posters

Brand: Pat Hansen Design / Heath Printers (for the Seattle Art Museum)

Year: 1984

Rarity Class: C

Last updated: October 27, 2026

This striking 1984 exhibition poster from the Seattle Art Museum promotes "Arts of Imperial Russia" through the dramatic presentation of an ornate, enameled kovsh. Printed by Heath Printers and designed by Pat Hansen, it serves as a bold, elegant artifact of 1980s Pacific Northwest cultural programming and museum graphic design.

Quick Read

Era & Origin: 1984, Seattle, Washington. Designed by Pat Hansen Design; Printed by Heath Printers. Subject: Advertising poster for the Seattle Art Museum exhibition "Arts of Imperial Russia" (Oct 18 - Dec 30, 1984). Key Feature: A dramatic, high-contrast photograph of an ornate, enameled Russian kovsh on a black background. Context: Mentions the Volunteer Park location (SAM's primary home at the time) and sponsorship by local business Philip Monroe Jeweler. Condition: Framed under glass, but exhibits visible surface scuffing and loss of black ink (white flecking) indicative of prior handling.

Summary

This striking 1984 exhibition poster from the Seattle Art Museum promotes "Arts of Imperial Russia" through the dramatic presentation of an ornate, enameled kovsh. Printed by Heath Printers and designed by Pat Hansen, it serves as a bold, elegant artifact of 1980s Pacific Northwest cultural programming and museum graphic design.

Framed 1984 exhibition poster for "Arts of Imperial Russia" at the Seattle Art Museum, featuring a large, ornate, silver and enamel Russian kovsh (a traditional boat-shaped vessel) floating against a stark black background with elegant serif typography.