Artwork
'Rayons de soleil'
'Rayons de soleil' 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.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1949, the drawing titled *Rayons de soleil* is a monochrome illustration attributed to the artist known as Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as a representative example of mid‑century graphic design.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a standing woman dressed in a coordinated outfit. She wears a tailored jacket featuring a black‑and‑yellow checkered pattern, paired with a pleated skirt of the same design. One hand rests on her hip while the other hangs loosely, conveying a poised yet relaxed stance. The French title, translating to “sun rays,” alludes to the bright yellow elements within the fabric’s pattern.
Technique & Style
Executed in black and white, the drawing relies on line work and cross‑hatching to suggest texture and form. The contrast between the dense black checks and the lighter yellow spaces creates a rhythmic visual effect, while the clean contours of the figure emphasize a stylized, graphic aesthetic typical of the period’s illustration practices.
History & Provenance
The piece dates to the late 1940s, a time when Carven was active in fashion illustration. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition (or donation) sometime after its creation, where it remains catalogued as part of the institution’s visual arts collection.
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.
