Who painted 'Profondeur'?

'Profondeur' was painted by Carven in 1949.

Where can I see 'Profondeur'?

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

Artwork

'Profondeur'

Carven , 1949

'Profondeur' 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. ‘Profondeur’, executed around 1949, is an image held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

About this work

Overview

‘Profondeur’, executed around 1949, is an image held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a solitary female figure rendered in a fluid, sketch‑like manner, emphasizing movement and gesture rather than detailed likeness. Its informal, gestural quality suggests a study rather than a finished portrait, aligning it with fashion illustration practices of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a woman dressed in a simple, flowing garment with a wide skirt and a loosely draped bodice. She stands on one leg with arms extended, a pose that conveys a sense of balance and kinetic energy. The figure’s relaxed stance and contemporary attire hint at an exploration of modern femininity and the dynamics of clothing design.

Technique & Style

Carven employs swift, confident lines that give the drawing a spontaneous, almost improvisational feel. The sketchy strokes capture the silhouette and movement without excessive detail, a hallmark of mid‑century fashion sketches. The minimal rendering of the dress’s clean lines underscores a modern aesthetic, while the loose handling of form conveys immediacy.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1949, the image bears the artist’s signature in the lower corner, confirming its attribution to the French fashion house Carven. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it is catalogued as part of the institution’s broader collection of visual documentation of dress and cultural attire.

Context

The late 1940s marked a shift toward streamlined silhouettes in women’s fashion, a trend reflected in the drawing’s simple, relaxed dress. Carven, known for accessible yet elegant designs, frequently produced quick studies for internal use or client presentation. This work exemplifies the intersection of artistic draftsmanship and commercial fashion illustration during the post‑war era.