Artwork
'Jeu de dames'
'Jeu de dames' 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
This drawing depicts a woman in a stylish outfit, standing with her left hand on her hip and her right arm relaxed by her side.
This drawing depicts a woman in a stylish outfit, standing with her left hand on her hip and her right arm relaxed by her side. She is wearing a dark-colored, plaid suit with a matching skirt, and her head is turned slightly to the left.
The drawing is rendered in a simple yet elegant style, with clean lines and minimal shading. The overall effect is one of understated sophistication, as if the woman is posing for a fashion photograph.
The drawing is titled 'Jeu de dames' and was created by Carven in 1949. To learn more about the artist behind this work, look up Carven.
Overview
“Jeu de dames,” a 1949 drawing by the French fashion house Carven, is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a single female figure rendered in a restrained, graphic manner, emphasizing line over volume.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a woman dressed in a dark, plaid suit and skirt, her head turned slightly left. She places her left hand on her hip while the right arm hangs loosely, a pose that suggests confidence and poise, reminiscent of mid‑century fashion photography.
Technique & Style
Carven employs clean, unembellished lines with minimal shading, creating a sleek silhouette that conveys elegance through simplicity. The drawing’s limited tonal range focuses attention on the garment’s pattern and the figure’s posture rather than on detailed facial features.
History & Provenance
Executed in 1949, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to Carven links the work to the post‑war French couture scene, where the brand was known for ready‑to‑wear designs.
Context
The title “Jeu de dames,” French for “checkers,” alludes to the plaid pattern of the outfit, echoing the visual language of games and geometric design popular in 1940s fashion illustration. The drawing reflects the era’s shift toward streamlined, accessible style in both clothing and visual representation.
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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