Artwork
Tête de linotte
Tête de linotte is a drawing by Carven. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Tête de linotte is a circa 1960 drawing attributed to the French fashion house Carven. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑century illustration. The piece depicts a single female figure rendered in line drawing, emphasizing silhouette and form over decorative detail.
Subject & Meaning
The image shows a woman dressed in a black dress with a striped skirt, a narrow black belt, and high‑heeled shoes. She wears black gloves, earrings, and her short, curly hair frames her face. Her pose—left hand on the hip, right hand relaxed at her side—conveys a poised, self‑assured presence, suggesting themes of contemporary femininity and refined poise.
Technique & Style
Carven employs a minimalist line technique, using clean, unembellished strokes to define clothing and accessories. The drawing relies on contrast between the dark silhouette and the paper background, achieving a sense of elegance through restraint. The limited palette and absence of shading focus attention on the garment’s structure and the figure’s posture.
History & Provenance
Created around 1960, the drawing entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, likely as part of a broader acquisition of fashion‑related artifacts. Its inclusion reflects the museum’s interest in documenting visual culture and the intersection of fashion illustration with ethnographic study.
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.
