Artwork
Pigeonne
Pigeonne is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1953 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Pigeonne is an image‑based work attributed to the fashion illustrator Carven, dated approximately 1953. The piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑century design sketching. The work’s title appears in the lower corner, suggesting a reference to the garment depicted.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a woman seen from behind, dressed in a dark, flowing garment that features a high collar and long sleeves. The sleeves are cut away at the elbows, exposing vivid yellow linings. Her hands rest on her hips, and the skirt widens slightly toward the hem, emphasizing the silhouette of the attire.
Technique & Style
Carven employs rapid, gestural lines to suggest the volume and movement of the fabric, favoring economy of stroke over detailed rendering. The contrast between the dark outer material and the bright undersleeve is achieved through minimal shading, allowing the viewer to infer texture and form from the sketch’s loose, expressive quality.
History & Provenance
Created around 1953, Pigeonne entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its broader acquisition of fashion illustration archives. The work reflects Carven’s practice of producing quick preparatory sketches for garment design, a method common among mid‑twentieth‑century fashion houses seeking to capture ideas swiftly.
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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