Artwork
Beryl
Beryl 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
Created around 1959, the drawing titled “Beryl” is attributed to the French fashion house Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑century fashion illustration. The piece bears the artist’s signature, “Beryl,” in the upper right corner, confirming its authorship.
Subject & Meaning
The illustration depicts a tall, purple gown characterized by a wide, flowing skirt and a high, structured collar. Long sleeves flare gently at the wrists, suggesting movement and elegance. A smaller frontal sketch of the same dress appears in the corner, offering a complementary view that emphasizes the garment’s silhouette and design intent.
Technique & Style
Executed with loose yet assured hand‑drawn lines, the sketch relies on swift brushstrokes to suggest the softness of the fabric and the play of light across folds. The artist’s confident handling creates a sense of immediacy, typical of fashion sketches intended to capture the essence of a design rather than detailed rendering.
History & Provenance
The work dates to the late 1950s, a period when Carven was known for bold, colorful creations. Its acquisition by the Museum of Ethnography places it within a broader context of fashion as cultural artifact, preserving a snapshot of post‑war European style and the commercial illustration practices of the era.
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
Continue through works from the same source collection.
