Artwork
Mandore
Mandore is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Mandore is a fashion illustration executed around 1959 by the French house Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑century design drawing. The image presents a single figure in a stylised dress, accompanied by a rear‑view line study of the same garment.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman dressed in a dark blue, waist‑fitted, flared skirt ensemble. She adopts a confident pose, one hand resting on her hip, while a modest white collar and a small hat complete the outfit. The accompanying rear view reduces the garment to its essential lines, emphasizing the silhouette over decorative detail.
Technique & Style
Carven’s approach relies on crisp, unembellished lines that define the dress’s shape with precision. The sketch conveys a sense of immediacy, suggesting a functional design study rather than a finished illustration. The use of contrast between the dark garment and the light background enhances the modern, streamlined aesthetic typical of late‑1950s fashion drawing.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1959, the illustration entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its broader acquisition of fashion-related artifacts. The museum’s catalogue lists the piece under the title Mandore, attributing it to Carven and noting its relevance to the study of post‑war French couture.
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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