Artwork
Libellule
Libellule is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1960 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 1960, "Libellule" is a black‑ink 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 a representative example of the label’s graphic output during the mid‑twentieth century.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a solitary female figure in profile, her posture marked by a bent right arm and a straight left arm at her side. She wears a sleeveless dress, a patterned scarf around her neck, and the overall pose suggests a quiet, poised presence, typical of fashion illustration aimed at highlighting garment details.
Technique & Style
Executed with black ink on a plain white surface, the drawing relies on clean, unembellished lines and minimal shading. The simplicity of the rendering emphasizes the silhouette and accessories rather than background context, reflecting the streamlined aesthetic favored by commercial fashion sketches of the era.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings sometime after its creation, though precise acquisition details are not publicly recorded. The artist’s signature, placed in the lower‑left corner, confirms its attribution to Carven, linking the work to the brand’s broader visual identity in the post‑war fashion market.
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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