Artwork
Onyx
Onyx 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
Onyx, attributed to the fashion house Carven and dated to around 1955, is a graphic representation of a woman’s attire preserved in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The image functions as a study of mid‑century style, capturing a moment of elegance through line and shade.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is depicted in a refined ensemble: a short, high‑collared jacket paired with a full skirt that falls just above the knees. A modest hat secures her hair, which is pulled back, and she rests a hand on her hip, suggesting poise and confidence typical of post‑war fashion narratives.
Technique & Style
Rendered with swift, assured strokes, the drawing emphasizes the texture of the fabrics through varied line work. Dark tonal shading imparts a sense of depth and richness, evoking the polished surface of onyx stone, which lends the piece its title.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1955, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its broader acquisition of fashion-related artifacts. Its presence there reflects the institution’s interest in documenting cultural expressions of dress alongside traditional ethnographic objects.
Context
The mid‑1950s marked a period of renewed optimism in European fashion, with designers like Carven offering streamlined silhouettes that balanced practicality and elegance. Onyx illustrates these trends, showcasing the transition from wartime austerity to a more liberated, sophisticated 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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