Artwork

Dessin de collection d'hiver 1951-1952

Dessin de collection d'hiver 1951-1952, by Carven, 1951
Dessin de collection d'hiver 1951-1952, by Carven, 1951

Dessin de collection d'hiver 1951-1952 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, the drawing titled “Dessin de collection d’hiver 1951‑1952” is attributed to the French fashion house Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and depicts a single figure dressed in a winter coat.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a woman wearing a long, purple overcoat characterized by a high collar, prominent pockets, and a belted waist. The figure stands upright with straight legs and relaxed arms, emphasizing the garment’s silhouette rather than the individual’s identity; the face is intentionally left blank.

Technique & Style

Carven employs rapid, flat areas of color outlined in bold lines, eliminating shading on the coat’s front to highlight its shape. The sketch relies on simplified forms and strong contouring, reflecting a graphic approach typical of mid‑century fashion illustration.

History & Provenance

The piece dates to the early 1950s, a period when Carven was known for innovative ready‑to‑wear designs. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its fashion archive, where it remains accessible for study of post‑war French couture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Carven

These delicate ink-on-paper drawings capture the quiet poetry of everyday things: pinecones, reeds, apples.