Artwork

'Tanger'

'Tanger', by Carven, 1949
'Tanger', by Carven, 1949

'Tanger' 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

Carven's 1949 work 'Tanger' is a sketch housed at the Museum of Ethnography, depicting a woman from behind in characteristic 1940s attire.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman dressed in a brown jacket with sharp lapels and high-waisted plaid pants, accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat and a belt at her natural waist. One hand rests on her hip, conveying a sense of casual confidence. The title 'Tanger' may allude to 'Tangerine' or the city of Tangier, though the specific inspiration remains ambiguous.

Technique & Style

The sketch features loose yet confident lines, flat colors, and simple shading, characteristic of a quick yet assured drawing style. The overall aesthetic is straightforward and observational, focusing on capturing the subject's posture and attire.

History & Provenance

Created in 1949, 'Tanger' is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography. The artist's signature title 'Tanger' is noted, but detailed provenance or exhibition history prior to its current location is not provided.

Context

The outfit, particularly the jacket's lapels and the plaid pants, situates the subject firmly within 1940s fashion trends. Comparisons with womenswear from the era highlight the sketch's representational accuracy regarding the period's style.

Artist & collection

Artist

Carven

These delicate ink-on-paper drawings capture the quiet poetry of everyday things: pinecones, reeds, apples.