Artwork
Marjolaine
Marjolaine 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 Marjolaine is attributed to the French fashion house Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a single figure in a flowing dress, rendered in a light, sketch‑like manner that emphasizes movement and texture rather than precise detail.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a woman wearing a voluminous skirt that expands dramatically from the waist, paired with a modest, blue‑and‑white patterned bodice. The garment’s airy quality and the figure’s relaxed pose suggest an interest in the elegance of everyday attire, possibly referencing a specific dress design named Marjolaine.
Technique & Style
Carven employed loose pencil strokes and cross‑hatching to convey shadows and the layered folds of the skirt. The rapid, sketchy lines give the drawing an unfinished appearance, while the subtle shading creates a sense of depth and lightness, highlighting the fabric’s texture without fully rendering the surface.
History & Provenance
The piece dates to the early 1950s, a period when Carven was expanding its ready‑to‑wear lines. After its creation, Marjolaine entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings, where it remains accessible for study of mid‑century fashion illustration and the house’s design aesthetic.
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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