Artwork
Perrette

Perrette 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
This drawing shows a woman in a loose, pink dress with a checkered bodice and flared skirt.
This drawing shows a woman in a loose, pink dress with a checkered bodice and flared skirt. Her arms are outstretched, and she’s wearing simple shoes. The lines are sketchy but confident, with some shading on her face and dress.
The name *Carven* is signed at the bottom, and the paper has a handwritten label. The style looks like it could be from the mid-20th century, but we don’t know for sure.
If you like this sketchy style, look up cross-hatching.
Overview
Perrette, attributed to the artist known as Carven, is a mid‑century drawing dated approximately 1951. Executed on paper, the work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The piece bears the artist’s signature in the lower margin and a handwritten label on the support, confirming its attribution and approximate date.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a woman dressed in a loose pink garment with a checkered bodice and a flared skirt. She stands with her arms extended outward, wearing simple footwear. The pose suggests a moment of openness or invitation, while the modest attire and relaxed stance convey a sense of everyday femininity rather than formal portraiture.
Technique & Style
Carven’s drawing employs confident, sketchy lines that outline the figure with a fluid rhythm. Subtle shading, particularly on the face and dress, adds volume without obscuring the overall lightness of the composition. The handling of line and minimal cross‑hatching reflects a mid‑20th‑century aesthetic that balances spontaneity with controlled draftsmanship.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings sometime after its creation, though the precise acquisition path is not documented in the available records. The presence of a handwritten label on the paper suggests an early cataloguing or personal annotation, indicating the piece has been recognized as part of the museum’s collection for several decades.
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
Continue through works from the same source collection.
















