Artwork
Poitou
Poitou is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1963, “Poitou” is a drawing attributed to the fashion house Carven and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition shows a solitary female figure viewed from behind, set against a plain white field framed by a light beige border. The work is identified by the inscription “Poitou 23” in the upper right and the numeral “18” in the upper left.
Subject & Meaning
She turns her head slightly to the right, revealing a bare left hand and a long black glove on the right, suggesting a contrast between elegance and restraint.
The figure is dressed in a knee‑length pink dress with a bow at the back, complemented by a matching hat and black high‑heeled shoes. She turns her head slightly to the right, revealing a bare left hand and a long black glove on the right, suggesting a contrast between elegance and restraint. The pose and attire evoke mid‑century fashion illustration, emphasizing style as a form of personal expression.
Technique & Style
Rendered in line drawing, the image relies on clean contours and minimal shading to define the silhouette and accessories. The limited palette—primarily pink, black, and the neutral background—focuses attention on the garment’s form. The composition’s simplicity and the precise, almost graphic quality align with the aesthetic of 1960s fashion sketches, where clarity of design was paramount.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced by Carven, a French fashion house known for its ready‑to‑wear collections, during a period when the brand frequently commissioned illustrative works for internal and promotional purposes. Since its creation, “Poitou” has been retained by the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s broader holdings on visual culture and fashion documentation.
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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