Artwork
'Départ'
'Départ' is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1949 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
‘Départ’, executed in 1949 by the French designer Carven, is a graphic work held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition presents a solitary female figure rendered in line drawing, her posture suggesting movement as she prepares to leave. The piece is noted for its restrained visual language and the subtle play of pattern within the figure’s attire.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a woman dressed in a striped suit, her right arm lifted while the left hand clutches a hat. Though her face is omitted, the gesture and the slight turn of the torso convey a moment of departure or transition. The anonymity of the figure invites viewers to focus on the act rather than a specific identity.
Technique & Style
Carven employs clean, unembellished lines with minimal shading, allowing the silhouette and the striped motif of the suit to dominate the visual field. The simplicity of the drawing, combined with the precise rendering of the pattern, reflects a modernist aesthetic that values clarity and elegance over decorative excess.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after World War II, ‘Départ’ entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its mid‑20th‑century design collection. The work’s acquisition underscores the museum’s interest in documenting contemporary fashion illustration alongside ethnographic artifacts, situating Carven’s graphic output within a broader cultural narrative.
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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