Artwork
'Cornac'
'Cornac' is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1951 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 1951, “Cornac” is a pencil drawing 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 image captures a solitary female figure in a relaxed stance, offering a glimpse into contemporary clothing design.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman wearing a loose, long‑sleeved top with a high collar, complemented by a flared skirt that falls just above the ankles. Simple yet refined, the garment features modest button detailing at the chest and a narrow trim along the hem. Her hand rests lightly on her hip, suggesting a casual confidence that reflects everyday elegance of the period.
Technique & Style
Executed with light pencil strokes, the illustration is rendered in a quick, gestural manner typical of fashion sketches. The artist emphasizes overall shape rather than fine detail, leaving portions of the surface loosely defined. This approach conveys movement and fabric flow while maintaining a sense of immediacy, characteristic of Carven’s design documentation.
History & Provenance
The work dates to the early 1950s, a time when Carven was expanding its ready‑to‑wear line. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through an acquisition aimed at documenting fashion’s cultural dimensions. The piece remains in the museum’s permanent collection, serving as a reference point for scholars studying post‑war French sartorial trends.
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.
