Artwork
Coralina
Coralina is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1952 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
If you like this drawing, you might also want to look up the work of Carven, the artist who created it.
This drawing shows a woman in a full, yellow ball gown. The dress is strapless and has a sweetheart neckline, with a full skirt that is gathered at the waist. The woman's face is not visible.
The drawing is done in a loose, expressive style, with bold lines and bright colors. The yellow of the dress is especially vibrant, and it dominates the composition. The background is a plain beige, which helps the dress stand out.
The drawing is titled "Coralina" and was created by Carven in 1952. It is held at the Museum of Ethnography. If you like this drawing, you might also want to look up the work of Carven, the artist who created it.
Overview
Created in 1952 by the French fashion house Carven, “Coralina” is an image held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a solitary figure dressed in a striking yellow ball gown, set against a neutral beige backdrop that emphasizes the garment’s vivid hue.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a woman whose face remains unseen, directing attention to the attire rather than personal identity. The full, strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and gathered waist suggests a celebration of fashion and femininity, while the anonymity invites viewers to contemplate the role of clothing as a visual statement.
Technique & Style
Rendered with bold, fluid lines, the drawing employs an expressive approach that balances spontaneity with clarity. Bright, saturated yellow dominates the palette, contrasting sharply with the understated beige background. The loose handling of line and color conveys movement and immediacy, characteristic of mid‑century illustration.
History & Provenance
“Coralina” entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings after its creation in the early 1950s, though specific acquisition details remain undocumented. Its presence in an ethnographic context highlights the institution’s interest in fashion as a cultural artifact, reflecting broader mid‑twentieth‑century trends in documenting dress.
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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