Artwork

Bleu de Chine

Bleu de Chine, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1952
Bleu de Chine, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1952

Bleu de Chine is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1952 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Bleu de Chine, created circa 1952 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a sketch depicting a woman in a flowing blue dress. The piece is part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a confident woman in a blue dress with a floral-patterned bodice and wide, wavy skirt. Her pose, with one hand on her hip, conveys self-assurance. The title references the dress's deep blue color, possibly alluding to a specific dye.

Technique & Style

The sketch features loose, quick lines, imparting a lively, unfinished quality. The style prioritizes capturing shapes and movement over intricate detail, resulting in a simple yet expressive drawing.

History & Provenance

Created by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house (established in 1945), around 1952. Notably, Carven was among the first Parisian couturiers to offer prêt-à-porter lines. The work is now held in the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marie-Louise Carven

Artist

Marie-Louise Carven

Marie-Louise Carven (31 August 1909 – 8 June 2015), born Carmen de Tommaso, was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Carven in 1945.