Artwork

Obélisque

Obélisque, by Carven, 1955
Obélisque, by Carven, 1955

Obélisque is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1955 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Obélisque is a fashion sketch created around 1955 by the House of Carven, now part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch depicts a woman wearing a sleek, high-necked black outfit with geometric accents on the top and subtle patterning on the fitted pants. The overall design, particularly the sharp, angular lines of the dress, may be alluded to in the piece’s title.

Technique & Style

Executed in a quick, precise manner, the drawing emphasizes fabric texture and garment fit, characteristic of a working fashion sketch. Bold stripes on the hat add a touch of vibrancy.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1955 by Carven, the sketch is currently housed at the Museum of Ethnography, though the specifics of its acquisition are not detailed here.

Context

Part of Carven’s mid-20th-century output, Obélisque reflects the era’s fashion sensibilities, blending simplicity with geometric and striped elements.

Legacy

As a representative work of Carven’s design aesthetic, Obélisque contributes to the historical record of the house’s influence on mid-century fashion.

Artist & collection

Artist

Carven

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