<p></p>A general view of the Contracts Fair at Podil. Traditionally, fairs<br />

of this kind were held in winter; this picture, however, indicates<br />

that they could begin in autumn and be continued in spring. It was<br />

most probably taken in March or early April. Almost the whole<br />

space of the square is occupied by numerous stalls, to some extent<br />

protected from bad weather. Partially, however, trade is conducted<br />

directly from the carts seen in the foreground. One can see some<br />

parts of the carts (wheels with beams) and, in some<br />

distance, chairs. In the background, there is the two-floor<br />

Contract House, constructed in the Classicist style, with a<br />

protruding four-column portico on the shorter side.<p></p> Olga Martyniuk