Bali was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1964.

Where can I see Bali?

Bali is held by Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

Artwork

Bali

Marie-Louise Carven , 1964

Bali is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1964 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1964, *Bali* is a fashion illustration by French designer Marie-Louise Carven. The work is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings and exemplifies Carven’s focus on lightweight garments for a petite clientele.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a woman viewed in profile, arms extended outward, wearing a black dress accented with vivid yellow and orange geometric forms. Her short, uplifted hair and oversized round sunglasses give the figure a modern, carefree air, suggesting an emphasis on movement and leisure.

Technique & Style

Rendered in loose, sketchy lines, the illustration balances minimal background detail with bold color blocks on the garment. A secondary, smaller study in the corner shows the same figure from the back, indicating Carven’s practice of rapid pose exploration before finalizing a design.

History & Provenance

Marie-Louise Carven founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945 and was among the first Parisian couturiers to launch a ready‑to‑wear line. *Bali* reflects her mid‑1960s output and bears her signature in the lower right corner, confirming authorship.

Context

The piece emerges from a period when Carven was expanding beyond haute couture into accessible fashion, integrating bold graphic elements into her silhouettes. The illustration’s emphasis on color and streamlined form aligns with contemporary trends in post‑war French ready‑to‑wear.