Artwork
Batoum
Batoum is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
“Batoum,” attributed to the designer Carven and dated around 1959, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The piece is a two‑dimensional illustration that presents a stylised figure dressed in a distinctive purple ensemble, rendered in flat colour without gradations.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a solitary figure wearing a tailored jacket with pronounced lapels, two front buttons, and a modest chest pocket, complemented by a straight, knee‑above skirt. The composition emphasizes the silhouette of mid‑century fashion, suggesting an interest in contemporary dress rather than narrative content.
Technique & Style
Executed with loose yet decisive line work, the drawing relies on clear contours and uniform colour fields. The absence of shading creates a graphic quality, while the minimal background focuses attention on the garment’s form. A small side profile of the same outfit appears as an auxiliary study.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1959, the work bears Carven’s signature in the upper right corner, alongside the numeral “143,” likely a catalogue reference. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains accessible for study of post‑war fashion illustration.
Artist & collection
Artist
These delicate ink-on-paper drawings capture the quiet poetry of everyday things: pinecones, reeds, apples.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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