Who painted 'Paratonnerre'?

'Paratonnerre' was painted by Carven in 1949.

Where can I see 'Paratonnerre'?

'Paratonnerre' is held by Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

Artwork

'Paratonnerre'

Carven , 1949

'Paratonnerre' is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1949 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

“Paratonnerre,” executed around 1949 by the French designer Carven, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work is a black‑and‑white drawing that presents a solitary female figure in a long, buttoned coat with prominent side pockets. The composition is spare, focusing on the figure’s posture and the garment’s clean geometry rather than on detailed facial features.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a woman standing with her hands concealed in the coat’s deep pockets, suggesting a moment of pause or introspection. The absence of a visible face directs attention to her bodily stance, evoking a sense of quiet anticipation or contemplation, as if she awaits an unseen event or simply occupies a private, reflective space.

Technique & Style

Carven employs a minimalist line approach, using crisp, unembellished strokes to define the coat’s structure and the figure’s silhouette. Shading is restrained, allowing the contrast between the dark outline and the white background to convey form. This restrained elegance aligns with mid‑century modernist tendencies toward simplicity and functional clarity.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1949, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in objects that intersect fashion, design, and cultural representation, situating Carven’s drawing within a collection that documents everyday visual culture.

Context

Carven, known primarily for fashion, explored graphic representation of clothing as an object of aesthetic inquiry.

The late 1940s marked a period of reconstruction and renewed interest in functional design across Europe. Carven, known primarily for fashion, explored graphic representation of clothing as an object of aesthetic inquiry. “Paratonnerre” thus mirrors contemporary dialogues about the role of apparel in post‑war identity, emphasizing utility—here symbolized by the coat’s large pockets—while maintaining an understated elegance.