Artwork
Osiris
Osiris 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
Osiris, attributed to the French fashion house Carven and dated to around 1959, is a visual study preserved in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work consists of a two‑panel sketch that records a single garment from both front and back perspectives.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman wearing a long, loose‑fitting blue coat with wide lapels and a deep V‑neck. Her short, wavy hair and slightly bent stance suggest a relaxed, everyday moment, while the emphasis on the coat’s silhouette highlights the garment’s functional elegance.
Technique & Style
Rendered in simple line work, the sketch combines a full‑figure front view with a minimalist rear outline that isolates the coat’s shape. The use of a single, vivid blue hue against a light background creates a visual contrast that accentuates the fabric’s softness and fluidity.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1959, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its mid‑twentieth‑century fashion archive. Its attribution to Carven aligns it with the label’s reputation for refined, understated womenswear during the post‑war era.
Context
The coat reflects the 1950s trend toward relaxed tailoring and accessible luxury in women’s outerwear. Its design—characterized by clean lines, generous cut, and a bold yet muted colour—mirrors broader shifts in post‑war fashion toward comfort without sacrificing style.
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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