Artwork
Publicité
Publicité is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Publicité, executed around 1958 by the French fashion house Carven, is a printed image now in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a stylized fashion illustration that captures a moment of mid‑century elegance.
Subject & Meaning
The picture shows a woman dressed in a red, floral‑patterned gown with a cinched waist and full skirt, her left leg extended and her right hand poised at her chin. Her hair is arranged in an updo and she wears high‑heeled shoes, conveying a poised, sophisticated demeanor typical of post‑war fashion advertising.
Technique & Style
Rendered as a flat illustration, the image relies on bold color blocks and clean lines to define the garment’s silhouette. A small schematic of the dress’s back appears in the lower‑right corner, adding a technical dimension to the otherwise decorative composition.
Context
Created during the late 1950s, the work reflects the era’s emphasis on refined, feminine attire and the growing influence of fashion illustration as a promotional tool. Carven, known for its accessible luxury, used such images to market its collections to a broader audience.
History & Provenance
After its production, the illustration entered the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s broader collection of visual culture artifacts.
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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