Artwork
Chacale

Chacale 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
Chacale, executed around 1959 by the artist known as Carven, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work is a black‑and‑white image that presents a stylised portrait of a woman in a sleek, sleeveless dress.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is shown holding a rectangular purse in her right hand, her short white hair framing a face that looks directly at the viewer. The composition suggests a focus on contemporary fashion and personal adornment, emphasizing the interplay of attire and identity.
Technique & Style
Rendered with clean, minimal lines, the image relies on stark contrast between black silhouettes and a white background. A small, sketch‑like outline of a dress appears in the lower right, echoing the main figure’s garment and reinforcing the work’s streamlined aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 1950s, Chacale entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings sometime after its completion, where it remains on display as part of the institution’s mid‑century modern collection.
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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