Artwork
Simbad
Simbad 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
“Simbad” is an image attributed to the French fashion house Carven, dating from around 1953. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a solitary female figure rendered in a rapid, sketch‑like manner, offering a glimpse of mid‑century fashion illustration.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman wearing a long, vertically striped coat with prominent pockets and a cinched waist, complemented by short hair, gloves, and a hand placed on her hip. The composition suggests a focus on garment structure and silhouette rather than narrative, inviting viewers to consider the attire as the central element.
Technique & Style
Executed with light, swift strokes, the illustration conveys a loose, sketchy quality typical of quick fashion studies. The lines emphasize the coat’s flow and fit, while minimal shading keeps attention on form. The handwritten title “Simbad” appears in the margin, adding a casual, studio‑note character to the piece.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1953, the image reflects Carven’s design aesthetic during the post‑war period, a time when French couture was expanding into ready‑to‑wear concepts. The work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it now serves as a reference for mid‑twentieth‑century fashion illustration practices.
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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