Artwork

Verjus

Verjus, by Carven, 1958
Verjus, by Carven, 1958

Verjus 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

Verjus, attributed to the French fashion house Carven and dated to around 1958, is an illustration held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work depicts a woman dressed in a bright yellow coat with a matching hat, both trimmed in white fur, and includes a small white garment rendered in the lower right corner of the image.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is presented as a fashionable urban woman, her attire suggesting a blend of elegance and casual confidence. The vivid yellow and the fur accents convey a sense of modern femininity, while the loose posture implies an effortless readiness for daily activities.

Technique & Style

Executed in a sketch‑like manner, the drawing relies on bold, fluid lines and saturated color fields. The loose rendering and playful brushwork give the composition a spontaneous quality, emphasizing movement and the tactile qualities of the fabrics rather than precise detail.

Context

Created in the late 1950s, the image reflects contemporary trends in post‑war French fashion, when bright hues and streamlined silhouettes were gaining popularity. Carven’s reputation for accessible yet stylish designs is evident in the illustration’s combination of high‑fashion elements, such as fur trim, with a relaxed, ready‑to‑wear aesthetic.

Artist & collection

Artist

Carven

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