Artwork
Cagliostro
Cagliostro is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1953 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Cagliostro, attributed to the French fashion house Carven, dates to around 1953 and is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography. The photograph presents a solitary female figure in a dark, tailored coat against a muted beige backdrop, emphasizing a restrained, elegant presence.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a woman in a long, black coat with a full skirt, white heels, and a short bob haircut. Her hands are gently clasped before her, and she gazes straight ahead with a neutral expression, suggesting poise and composure rather than narrative drama.
Technique & Style
The photograph captures fine details of the coat’s high collar, embellished shoulders, and sleeves, while the soft lighting highlights the contrast between the dark attire and the light background. The composition is simple, focusing on texture and silhouette rather than elaborate setting.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1953, the work reflects post‑war French fashion aesthetics. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains displayed as an example of mid‑century sartorial photography.
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.
